Reiter's syndrome is a systemic disease that affects the eye area (with the appearance of conjunctivitis), the joint area (the appearance of reactive arthritis) and the genitourinary area (with the appearance of urethritis) and in some cases it can cause lesions in the skin. The people most likely to contract the disease are men over 40 years of age.
The exact cause of this disease, to date is unknown, it is only known that most of the cases have occurred in men over 40 years of age, who have suffered or suffer from a urinary tract infection, after having had unprotected sex. In the same way, it can arise after food poisoning or because the person has a genetic condition that makes them prone to catching this disease, especially in cases where the person has a relative, who has previously suffered from this syndrome.
Reiter syndrome, as already mentioned, involves three areas of the body such as the eyes, joints and urinary tract. On the skin it can cause papules on the hands, feet, scrotum, scalp, etc.
Below are some of the symptoms of this disease:
- Difficulty when urinating, and the presence of pain when doing so. Causing cervicitis in women and the appearance of a urethral discharge in men.
- It is very common the presence of pain at the end of the penis, the increased urinary frequency and chills.
- Slight fever.
- Redness in the eyes (conjunctivitis).
- Pain in the heels.
- Ailments in certain joints such as the hips, knees, lower back.
- Appearance of ulcers that are not usually painful, in the mouth or on the glans.
Regarding the diagnosis, it can be said that until now there is no specific test for this syndrome, however, doctors through physical examinations performed on patients, as well as a history of sexually transmitted infections of the same and through symptoms, can determine the condition.
The treatment for this disease is emphasized in the relief of the symptoms that it produces, in general the doctor recommends a lot of rest, while the inflammation in the joints is maintained, it is also advisable to perform physiotherapy. In cases where the cause of the condition is due to a sexual infection, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics to combat it. As for conjunctivitis, there is no treatment as such, as long as there are no ophthalmological complications.
It is important to note that this condition has no cure, it can be absent after a few weeks, or last for months. The disease can appear after several years, this usually happens in 50% of the people who have suffered it.
