Reiter's syndrome is commonly referred to as an infectious disease, transmitted predominantly through the sexual way, which is characterized by the defeat of several organs.
What is Reiter's syndrome?
Reiter's syndrome is caused by some kinds of chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis), provoking a disruption of the immune system, which in turn reacts with the damage of other organs:
- joints (reactive arthritis);
- mucous membranes (conjunctivitis, erosion);
- urogenital organs (urethritis, cervicitis);
- Sometimes there is damage to the eyes and skin.
The development of the disease in the organs can go both simultaneously and consistently. There is the concept of incomplete Reiter's syndrome - only one organ is affected.
The indicator of the disease is approximately the same for both men and women. Although it should be noted that earlier statistics characterized this disease as more masculine, since the ratio of women and men with this diagnosis was 1:10. At the moment, the vast majority of those who are sick - active age from 20 to 40 years.
Symptoms of Reiter's Syndrome
The incubation period of this disease is 1-4 weeks. During this period, the appearance of such symptoms:
- The first signs of cervicitis (in women) and urethritis (in men).
- Increased eye irritation, up to conjunctivitis (in a third of patients). Both eyes are affected.
- Approximately 1-1.5 months after the appearance of signs of urogenital infection, pain symptoms appear in the joints. Usually it is the joints of the legs - knees, ankles, finger joints (swollen sosiskoobraznye fingers).
- In 30-40% of patients, rashes on the skin are possible. As a rule, they are localized on the palms and soles of the feet (keratoderma - the focal areas of hyperkeratosis against the background of skin hyperemia with cracks and peeling).
- The rise in temperature is usually absent or insignificant.
- Some patients report signs of intestinal infection (diarrhea) before the onset of the disease.
Treatment of Reiter's Syndrome
Treatment of the disease has two goals:
- getting rid of chlamydia;
- relief of inflammatory symptoms.
To cure the body of chlamydia requires a prolonged exposure to antibiotics. The duration of treatment can be up to 4-6 weeks and 2-3 antibiotics of different pharma groups are used. Typically, these are the following groups:
- tetracyclines (Doxycycline in the form of injections);
- fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin);
- macrolides (Erythromycin, Azithromycin).
Parallel reception of antibiotics is prescribed maintenance therapy:
- hepatoprotectors ;
- immunostimulants;
- vitamin complexes;
- bacteria that support intestinal flora.
Relief of symptoms consists primarily in the removal of inflammation of reactive arthritis in Reiter's syndrome. Therapy includes the use of non-steroid drugs (ibuprofen, indomethacin, diclofenac). In rare and especially severe cases, it is possible to use hormonal injections in the affected joint. After the removal of acute pain, it is possible to connect physiotherapy procedures.
Complications of Reiter's syndrome and prevention measures
This disease is well treatable and after six months passes into a state of remission. In 20-25% of patients reactive arthritis becomes chronic, which leads to joint dysfunction. Both in men and women, Reuter's syndrome can be complicated by infertility.
To prevent the onset of Reiter's syndrome, you should have a reliable sexual partner or use condoms in case of accidental contact. It is also recommended to prevent the occurrence of intestinal infections.