Diagnosis

A doctor may suspect you have Reiter's syndrome when the typical symptoms develop after you had an infection. Your doctor will examine you, and will order imaging tests, such as X-rays of the pelvis or lower spine. Your doctor may remove fluid from a painful joint with a needle so it can be examined in a laboratory. Fluid from an inflamed joint will contain a high number of white blood cells.

There is no single test that can confirm the diagnosis. Your doctor will diagnose Reiter's syndrome based on your history of infection, your symptoms and the physical exam. Tests may be done to check for other conditions that can cause joint inflammation, such as an infection or gout.