Reiter's Syndrome Symptoms & Diagnosis

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Symptoms

Symptoms occur in three main areas of the body: the joints, the eyes, and the urinary tract and genitals. Men and women may experience different symptoms. The disease may be milder in women. Symptoms may come and go. In rare cases, heart problems may develop later in the disease.

Specific symptoms include the following:

In the Joints:

  • Swelling, pain, and redness, especially in the knees, ankles, and feet
  • Heel pain
  • Shortening and thickening of fingers and toes
  • Back pain and stiffness

In the Eyes:

  • Redness
  • Pain
  • Irritation
  • Blurred vision
  • Tearing
  • Discharge
  • Sometimes, sun sensitivity or swollen eyelids

In the Urinary Tract and Reproductive System

In men:

  • Frequent urination
  • Burning sensation when passing urine
  • Penal discharge
  • Sores at end of penis
  • Fever
  • Chills

Male Urinary System

Male Genito-urinary System
© 2009 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.

In women:

  • Burning sensation when passing urine
  • Inflamed vagina and cervix

Other Symptoms Include:

  • Rash, especially on the palms or soles
  • Ulcers in the mouth or on the tongue
  • Weight loss
  • Poor appetite
  • Fatigue
  • Fever

Rare Complications May Include:

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Your doctor uses these findings to help make the diagnosis. There is no specific test to check for Reiter’s syndrome.

Testing may include:

  • Blood tests to check for:
    • Signs of inflammation (sedimentation rate)
    • Signs of infection (complete blood count)
    • The genetic factor associated with Reiter's syndrome (HLA-B27)
  • Culture, gram stain, or other tests to look for bacteria that commonly cause infections associated with Reiter’s syndrome
  • Removal of synovial fluid from around the joints to check for infection
  • X-rays —a test that uses radiation to take a picture of structures inside the body such as joints
  • Ultrasound—a test that uses sound waves to examine the inside of the body
  • MRI scan —a test that uses magnetic and radio waves to make pictures of the inside of the body
  • CT scan —a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of the inside of the body

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2012 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.

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