Preventing reactive arthritis

The most effective way to prevent reactive arthritis is to avoid the most common infectious causes of the condition.

These are:

• sexually transmitted infections (STIs) 
• infections of the bowel and digestive system (gastrointestinal infections)

Contraception

The most effective way of preventing STIs is to always use a barrier method of contraception, such as a condom, during sexual intercourse. This includes both anal and oral sex.

This greatly reduces your risk of getting STIs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea, which are the main types of STIs that can lead to reactive arthritis. The male condom is the most effective type of contraception to prevent STIs.

For more advice, see STIs, condoms and sexual health.

Good hygiene

Ensuring good standards of hygiene when preparing and storing food can help prevent gastrointestinal infections.

Following the advice below will help lower your risk of infection:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water and dry them before handling food. Also wash them after handling raw meat, going to the toilet, blowing your nose or handling animals (including pets).
• Before starting to prepare food, wash work surfaces thoroughly, particularly after they’ve been touched by raw meat (including poultry) or raw eggs. Also clean them after you’ve finished preparing food.
• Use separate chopping boards for raw meat and ready-to-eat food.
• Keep raw meat away from ready-to-eat foods, such as salad, fruit and bread.
• Cook food thoroughly. Before eating, check it’s piping hot all the way through.
• Keep your fridge temperature between 0-5ºC (31.9-40.9ºF). Keeping food cold will prevent bacteria growing.
• Avoid eating food that’s past its use-by date.
• When travelling in areas where gastrointestinal illnesses are common, take care to avoid unwashed fruit and vegetables, and ensure you only use clean water for drinking, cleaning your teeth and washing food.

Read more about food safety and preventing food poisoning.