What happens in Reiter's Syndrome.

It is a form of inflammatory arthritis that develops after a response to an infection in another part of the body. When a patient with such disease comes into contact with bacteria and developing an infection can trigger the disease. It is also called as Reactive arthritis.

Reiter's syndrome was named after a German military doctor Hans Reiter who was the first to observe and describe this triad of changes in patients:

Arthritis i.e., inflammation of joints

Conjunctivitis i.e., inflammation of the conjunctiva

Nonspecific urethritis i.e., inflammation of the urethra

It means a person having this disease has difficulty walking, can't see properly, and can’t pee without pain. This usually preceded by an infection caused by bacteria, such as Chlamydia trachomatis (a sexually transmitted disease) or Salmonella (a bacteria that can contaminate foods). It is considered an autoimmune disease marked by inflammatory synovitis and erosion at the insertion sites of ligaments and tendons of muscle and joints. It is diagnosed by a complete blood count and then evaluates whether the patients are recently fighting off an infection. HLA-B27 genetic marker test. Many people who develop Reiter's syndrome have a genetic marker known as HLA-B27.

This disease is having no cure but with the help of departments like medical, dermatology, rheumatology ad regular sessions of physiotherapy, symptomatic relief can be achieved and progression can be stopped. A physiotherapist will work in movement related disorders and make the patient independent, so a patient can gain confidence and live a positive life.

Basudeo Rajbhor

MPT- Neurology (pursuing)

SGT University