Question
My husband has reiters syndrome – why is it that I can never find information on it.
Answer
You might try the broader term Reactive arthritis. Dr. Hans Reiter described the syndrome of arthritis, conjuctivitis (inflammation of the eye) and urethritis (inflammation of the urethra–outlet from the urinary bladder) that occurs weeks after an infection in the GI tract (diarrhea) or urinary tract. This occurs well after the infection resolves and this is considered “reactive” to the infection. Infections with salmonella, shigella, yersinia bacteria among others have been implicated.
This is most common in young men who present with swelling in one or two lower extremity joints.
The symptoms in many patients resolve slowly over time.
