Reiter Syndrome Health Video

Reiter's syndrome is a disorder that causes three seemingly unrelated symptoms: arthritis, redness of the eyes, and urinary tract signs. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and treatments for Reiter's syndrome in this health video.

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See your doctor about painful urination
See your doctor about painful eyes
See your doctor about arthritis
Avoid sexually transmitted diseases

About this Author

Dr. Susan McGladdery is a medical graduate from Oxford University in the UK and has a Master's Degree in Medical Sciences from Cambridge University. She has been a member of the Royal College of Physicians since 1991 and a member of the American Academy of Urgent Care since 2006. She trained as a Family Physician in the UK in Oxford and then in London. In a medical career that spans over 20 years, she has worked as a doctor in 5 countries on 3 continents and cared for patients from a multitude of different nationalities and backgrounds. Dr. McGladdery joined FirstMed Centers in mid 2002 and became Regional Medical Director in 2003.

SUSAN MCGLADDERY: Hello. My name is Dr. Sue McGladdery. I'm the medical director from FirstMed Centers in Budapest, Hungary. I'd like to give you some information about Reiter syndrome or reactive arthritis. This is a group of inflammatory conditions that involves the joints, the urethra, and the eyes. There may also be lesions on the skin and the mucous membranes. The exact cause is unknown. Mostly, it affects men before the age of 40 and may also occur in adolescence. It may follow an infection with Chlamydia, Campylobacter, or Salmonella. What are the symptoms of Reiter syndrome? It's a combination of urinary symptoms. These usually appear first within days or weeks of an infection. There's burning, stinging, and urethral discharge. This is followed by low-grade fever, a red painful eye, and arthritis over the next few weeks. The arthritis may be mild or severe affecting one or several joints. How was the condition diagnosed? It's based on this combination of symptoms. Since the symptoms occur at different times, sometimes the diagnosis is delayed. Your doctor may want to do some lab tests and x-rays, urinalysis, and a check of the particular antigen known as HLAB-27 which is associated with Reiter syndrome. How do we treat this condition? The goal of treatment is to relieve the symptoms and to treat any underlying infection. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics if you have an infection and probably some kind of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug to help with joint pain. What is the typical course of this illness? Reactive arthritis may go away in three or four months but in around 50% of people, they go on to have intermittent symptoms for several years. You should make an appointment with your doctor if you have symptoms of this condition. What about prevention of Reiter syndrome? It's always important to take care to avoid sexually transmitted diseases so you should use a condom during intercourse and follow good hygiene practices to reduce the chance of gastrointestinal illness.