Diseases

Reiter Disease

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A chronic form of inflammatory arthritis wherein the following three conditions are combined: (1) arthritis; (2) inflammation of the eyes (conjunctivitis); and (3) inflammation of the genital, urinary or gastrointestinal systems.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms include joint pain and stiffness, most commonly in the knees, ankles and feet. In a type of reactive arthritis called reiter's syndrome, there may be discomfort during urination as well as eye inflammation.

CAUSES

The infection is most commonly chlamydia. Gastrointestinal or enteric reiter syndrome may develop after acute bacterial diarrhoea caused by eating food contaminated with bacteria such as salmonella, shigella or campylobacter.