Reiter’s syndrome, also known as reactive arthritis, is mainly caused as a reaction to the infection started in any body part, especially in the genitourinary or gastrointestinal tract. It is a form of arthritis resulting in pain and inflammation of the joints, eyes, skin, genitals, bladder and mucus membranes. The people with Reiter’s syndrome have arthritis as well as one or more disorders such as prostatitis, cystitis, urethritis, cervicitis, skin sores or eye problems. This disease is most frequently found in the men below the age group of 40 years.
Some bacterial infections are among the main causes of Reiter’s syndrome. Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common bacteria responsible for the Reiter’s syndrome which is acquired through the sexual contact. Many other bacteria related to this disease are acquired through the digestive tract including Shigella, Salmonella, Campylobacter and Yersinia. People may get these infections after handling or eating improperly prepared food like meats which is not stored at correct temperature.
The presence of HLA-B27 gene is one of the most significant causes of Reiter’s syndrome. The people with positive HLA-B27 genetic factor are found to be developing the Reiter’s syndrome. Although the Reiter’s syndrome is not contagious, the triggering bacteria may be passed from one person to another and it is possible that the infected person may develop the Reiter’s syndrome.
The people having this disorder may experience pain in the heel, tenderness and swelling of ankle or knee, swollen fingers or toes or pain and inflammation of the Achilles tendon. In addition to that, the patient may develop prostatitis, urethritis, cervicitis or cystitis.
Knowing the causes of Reiter’s syndrome, one can decide that how to avoid it. The Reiter’s syndrome can be avoided by avoiding the bacterial infections that can trigger this disease. The gastrointestinal infections may not be totally avoided, but can be minimized by proper storage of food at appropriate temperature and cooked it at high temperature to kill the bacteria. Avoid handling or eating the uncooked food and take care that the fluids from the uncooked meat should not be transmitted to other foods. Apply proper disinfection procedures such as adequate cooking of meat, pasteurization of milk and ozonation or chlorination of water.
Chlamydia is the major organism associated with the Reiter’s syndrome and it acts as a triggering factor. To prevent the chlamydial infections and other sexually transmitted diseases, you should practice safe sex with limited number of sex partners and with the use of safety measures.
In addition to this, a prompt treatment taken for the initial symptoms of infection (vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal genital discharge) may help to prevent the infections to progress to Reiter’s syndrome.
