How does Reiters syndrome develop?
Like all autoimmune diseases, Reiter’s syndrome is in part due to a problem with the immune system. The immune system produces antibodies that attack healthy tissues in the body, causing inflammation. Reiter’s syndrome is a subtype of reactive arthritis. Reactive arthritis is inflammation of the joints caused by certain bacterial infections. The arthritis occurs after a person has experienced a bacterial infection, and the bacteria travel through the body to a joint or joints. The person may have already been treated for the initial infection, and there may be a delay of weeks before the symptoms of reactive arthritis show themselves. Reiter’s syndrome is diagnosed when reactive arthritis is evident, and at least one other non-joint area, such as the eyes, skin or muscles, is affected. Not every person who gets an infection that can cause Reiter’s syndrome will also develop the disease. Some people may have a genetic predisposition and, therefore, may have a higher risk of developing R
