Reiter’s disease. Reiter’s disease symptoms. Reiter’s disease treatment.

Reiter’s disease – is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) which is characterized by a complex lesion of urogenital system, joints and eyes.

Cause of Reiter’s disease. Reiter’s disease is caused by certain types of chlamydia, which affect mainly mucous membranes of a human being, entering the body through genitals and spreading afterwards causing lesions in other organs and systems. The disease affects both males and females, incidence in young males being more common.

Chlamydiae may stay in the system for a long time, which leads to acute conditions, relapses of the malady or its evolving into a chronic Reiter’s disease. Reiter’s disease treatment

Symptoms of Reiter’s disease. The incubation period lasts for a week or two. The disease starts with inflammation of the urethral canal (uretritis) which manifests itself in pains during urination. Uretritis may go on without unpleasant sensations, though, and is diagnosed only by changes in urine revealed during laboratory tests.

Pain in one of the big joints (more frequently a knee) appears in 1-2 weeks sometimes n several months, the skin on the affected joint becomes hot by the feel. Gradually the pain in the joint becomes more intense, the joint swells. Lesion may spread to another joint (knee, ankle, foot). In the average the inflammation affects 4-5 joints. The patient starts to feel worse, the temperature slightly rises. Against the background of these developments eyes frequently become affected by conjunctivitis (inflammation of the mucous membranes of the eyes).

Half of the patients develop ulcerous lesions of the skin on genitals and the mucous membrane of the mouth cavity. Red stains appear on the palms, the plantar skin or skin in general. The stains later get covered with a thick crust. Nails get affected often (thickness, brittleness).

The disease often embarks on a protracted course and poorly responds to treatment. Recurrences are observed in 50% cases, 25% cases evolve into chronic illness leading to disability.

Reiter’s disease diagnosis. The disease must be diagnosed by a specialist specializing in infectious diseases. The most telltale laboratory method is isolation of chlamydiae in the urethreal canal.

Treatment of the disease focused on the affected joints only being the most pronounced and harassing manifestation is not effective and contributes to a protracted and chronic course of the malady. Use of antibiotics of the penicillin and cephalosporin groups leads to a similar effect. Treatment must be administered to both the patient and his sexual partner simultaneously. Reiter’s disease treatment.

Prevention. Have a single trustful sexual partner or use condoms during contingency sex. Early sexual enlightenment.