(rīt'ĕr )

[Hans Conrad Julius Reiter, Ger. physician, 1881–1969]

ABBR: RS

A syndrome consisting of urethritis, which usually occurs first; then arthritis and conjunctivitis. It occurs mainly in young men. When an organism is implicated, it is most frequently Chlamydia. The disease recurs frequently, and can produce debilitating arthritis and skin lesions. The prognosis is generally good, but recurrences are common.

Treatment: There is no specific therapy. Tetracyclines or erythromycins are used for urethritis. The sexual partner should be treated if RS was transmitted sexually. Arthritis and conjunctivitis are treated symptomatically.