Summary about Disease
Non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) is an inflammation of the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body) that is not caused by gonorrhea. It's a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can affect both men and women, though it is more commonly diagnosed in men.
Symptoms
Men:
Pain or burning sensation during urination
Discharge from the penis (may be clear, white, or yellowish)
Itching or irritation at the tip of the penis
Painful or swollen testicles (less common)
Women:
Pain or burning sensation during urination
Increased vaginal discharge
Abdominal pain
Bleeding between periods
Itching or irritation in the genital area
Symptoms may be mild or absent in women
Causes
NGU can be caused by a variety of bacteria, viruses, and other organisms. Common causes include:
Chlamydia trachomatis (most common)
Mycoplasma genitalium
Ureaplasma urealyticum
Trichomoniasis
Adenovirus
Sometimes, the cause cannot be identified (idiopathic NGU).
Bacterial vaginosis in women
Medicine Used
Antibiotics:
Azithromycin (Zithromax)
Doxycycline
Erythromycin
Ofloxacin
The specific antibiotic prescribed will depend on the suspected or identified cause of the infection.
Is Communicable
Yes, NGU is a communicable disease. It is primarily spread through sexual contact (vaginal, anal, or oral sex) with an infected person.
Precautions
Abstinence: Avoid sexual activity until you and your partner(s) have completed treatment and are symptom-free.
Condom Use: Use condoms consistently and correctly during all sexual encounters.
Mutual Monogamy: Limit sexual partners to one mutually monogamous relationship with someone who has been tested and is uninfected.
Testing: Get tested regularly for STIs, especially if you have new or multiple partners.
Partner Notification: Inform all recent sexual partners that you have been diagnosed with NGU so they can get tested and treated.
Avoid Douching: Douching can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina and may increase the risk of infection.
How long does an outbreak last?
With appropriate antibiotic treatment, symptoms typically resolve within 1-2 weeks. Without treatment, symptoms can persist for weeks or months and may lead to complications.
How is it diagnosed?
Physical Examination: A doctor will perform a physical exam to check for signs of inflammation or discharge.
Urine Test: A urine sample is collected to test for the presence of bacteria or other organisms.
Swab Test: A swab may be taken from the urethra (in men) or cervix (in women) to test for specific infections like chlamydia or gonorrhea.
Testing for other STIs: Because NGU can coexist with other STIs, your doctor may recommend testing for other infections like HIV and syphilis.
Timeline of Symptoms
Incubation Period: The time between infection and the appearance of symptoms can vary depending on the cause of NGU. It can range from a few days to several weeks.
Initial Symptoms: The first symptoms are often mild and may include a slight burning sensation during urination or a small amount of discharge.
Progression: If left untreated, symptoms can worsen and may include more severe pain, increased discharge, and complications such as epididymitis (in men) or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women.
Resolution with Treatment: Symptoms typically improve within a few days of starting antibiotic treatment and resolve completely within 1-2 weeks.
Important Considerations
Partner Treatment: It is crucial that all sexual partners are tested and treated for NGU, even if they have no symptoms. This helps prevent reinfection and further spread of the infection.
Compliance with Treatment: Complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor, even if you start feeling better.
Follow-up: Your doctor may recommend a follow-up appointment to ensure the infection has been completely cleared.
Complications: Untreated NGU can lead to serious complications, including epididymitis, prostatitis, and infertility in men, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy, and infertility in women.
Recurrent NGU: Some people experience recurrent NGU, even after treatment. This may be due to reinfection, antibiotic resistance, or other underlying factors.