Reiter's Syndrome and Salmonella

In rare cases, a Salmonella infection (salmonellosis) can cause enteric Reiter’s syndrome, often referred to as “reactive arthritis” because the arthritis associated with the syndrome occurs as a "reaction" to the Salmonella infection.

The arthritis associated with Reiter's syndrome can affect any joint in the body and cause any of the following:

Enthesopathy, painful inflammation of the tendon that attaches to the bone
Heel spurs, bony growths in the heel that cause chronic or long-lasting foot pain
Spondylitis, inflammation of the spine
Sacroiliitis, inflammation of the joints of the lower back that connect the spine to the pelvis
Conjunctivitis, inflammation of the mucous membrane that covers the eyeball and eyelid
Uveitis, inflammation of the inner eye

About 10 percent of people with Reiter's syndrome, develop heart problems:

Aortic regurgitation, leakage of blood from the aorta into the heart chamber
Pericarditis, inflammation of the membrane that covers and protects the heart

Many people with Reiter's syndrome have painful urination. If you have been diagnosed with a Salmonella infection and experience pain when you urinate, have red and/or itcy eyes, and/or have joint pain, you should consult with your medical provider to determine if you have Reiter's syndrome.

Reiter's Syndrome Treatment

There is no cure for Reiter's syndrome, but treatment can alleviate some of the pain and inflammation:

Bed rest
Exercise
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's), including asprin and ibuprofen
Corticosteroid injections
Topical corticosteroids
Antibiotics
Immunosuppressive medicines such as sulfasalazine and methotrexate, which are only used when symptoms cannot be controlled with any other treatment

Reiter's Syndrome Prognosis

The symptoms of Reiter’s syndrome usually subside in 2 to 6 months, although symptoms can recur. Some people with Reiter’s syndrome, about 20 percent, develop chronic arthritis, which is usually mild. A small percentage of people with Reiter’s syndrome have such sever symptoms that the pain and inflammation cannot be easily controlled with any treatment. These people have to deal with constant pain for the rest of their lives.

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Foodborne Outbreaks

Iowa E. coli: Raw apple cider may be associated with an Iowa E. coli outbreak.
University of Colorado at Boulder (CU) E. coli: At least 8 people have been sickened, 7 of them students.
Michigan E. coli Lettuce: A Michigan E. coli outbreak has been associated with bagged iceberg lettuce distributed by Aunt Mid's Produce Company.
Aunt Mid's Lawsuit: People in Michigan, Illinois, New York, Ohio and Oregon have been sickened in an E. coli outbreak.
University of Michigan and MSU E. coli Lawsuit: 7 students at Michigan State University and 3 students at the University of Michigan have contracted E. coli infections.
Hendricks Farm Campylobacter outbreak associated with Hendricks Farm & Dairy in Telford, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Oklahoma E. coli: An Oklahoma E. coli outbreak may be linked to a Locust Grove restaurant.
Nebraska Beef Lawsuit: Nebraska Beef, Ltd. has recalled millions of pounds of beef products and has been linked to 2 outbreaks.
Massachusettes E. coli: A Massachusettes E. coli outbreak has been linked to Nebraska Beef products and Coleman Meat products.
Whole Foods Market Lawsuit: The Whole Foods Market E. coli outbreak is part of the Massachusettes E. coli outbreak above.
Virginia E. coli - Goshen Scout Reservation: Dozens of scouts were sickened in an E. coli outbreak linked to beef.
Georgia E. coli - Barbecue Pit Lawsuit
Ohio E. coli Outbreak: Ground beef may have sickened people in both Michigan and Ohio.
Michigan E. coli Outbreak: Ground beef may have sickened people in both Michigan and Ohio.
Multi-State Salmonella Saintpaul Outbreak: Tomatoes have sickened hundreds of people throughout the United States.
Minnesota Preschool E. coli: Outbreak associated with Wonder World Preschool in Slayton, Minnesota.
Washington E. coli Lettuce: Outbreak associated with commercial romaine lettuce.
Texas Salmonella Saintpaul - Tomato: Outbreak most likely caused by Roma, red plum and/or red round tomatoes.
New Mexico Salmonella Saintpaul Linked to Tomatoes: Outbreak most likely caused by Roma, red plum and/or red round tomatoes.
Nebraska E. coli Outbreak Associated with Roast Beef
Hepatitis A - La Mesa California Chipotle - Lawyer and Lawsuit: San Diego County hepatitis A outbreak
Salmonella - Puffed Rice Recall and Puffed Wheat Recall: Malt-O-Meal cereal recall.
Minnesota Salmonella - Milford Valley Farms Lawsuit: Frozen chicken product.
Salmonella - Agropecuaria Montelibano Cantaloupe Recall: Cantaloupe from Honduras.
Salmonella Litchfield Cantaloupe Lawsuit: Recall of Dole, Chiquita and other brands.
Honolulu E. coli - Sekiya's Lawsuit and Lawyer: E. coli associated with Hawaii restaurant.
Alabama E. coli - Church Supper: Outbreak associated with Eastern Shore Baptis Church.
E. coli - Rochester Meat Company Recall and Lawsuit: Ground beef recall.
E. coli - Jeno's and Totino's Pizza Recall and Lawsuit: Pepperoni on pizza.
E. coli - Topps Recall and Lawsuit: Hamburger patty recall.
E. coli - Cargill/Sam's Club Recall and Lawsuit: Ground beef patty recall.
Listeria - Whittier Farms Recall and Lawsuit: Miscarriage and death linked to milk.
Hawaii Salmonella - Tuna Recall and Lawsuit
Salmonella - Safeway Ground Beef Recall and Lawsuit