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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.

Pritzker | Olsen, P.A., a leading food poisoning litigation law firm, has recently settled a food poisoning lawsuit for $6,425,000.  The firm has gained a national reputation, and lawyers at the firm have been interviewed by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Lawyers USA and other publications.  In recognition of their achievements, Fred Pritzker, Elliot Olsen and Eric Hageman have been named "Super Lawyers" by a state legal magazine.  Fred Pritzker has been selected by other lawyers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America. To contact our law firm:


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