What is it?
Reiter's Syndrome can occur one to three weeks after an infection of the urethra, cervix or the gastro-intestinal tract. In the gastro-intestinal tract, salmonella, shigella, campylobacter and yersinia are the infectious agents involved.
How do you get it?
Reiter's syndrome itself cannot be transmitted through sexual contact. It occurs as a result of the body's response to the initial infection. Of the sexually transmitted infections, Chlamydia of the urethra or cervix is the most likely to cause the syndrome, however gonorrhea is occasionally implicated. The presence of HLA-B27, a genetic marker, may predispose a person to this syndrome.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of Reiter's Syndrome include:
- arthritis (inflammation of the joints)
- urethritis (inflammation of the urethra)
- conjunctivitis (inflammation of the lining of the eye)
- lesions of the skin and mucous membranes
How common is it?
Reiter's Syndrome occurs most commonly in men under 40. About 75% of those with this disorder have the HLA- B27 genetic marker. HLA-B27 is one of a family of genes that play an important role in the body's defense against infection. In the general population 6-8% of white people and 2% of African-Americans have this marker. | 
