Non-gonococcal urethritis

Jump to navigation Jump to search

Template:DiseaseDisorder infobox

WikiDoc Resources for Non-gonococcal urethritis

Articles

Most recent articles on Non-gonococcal urethritis

Most cited articles on Non-gonococcal urethritis

Review articles on Non-gonococcal urethritis

Articles on Non-gonococcal urethritis in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ

Media

Powerpoint slides on Non-gonococcal urethritis

Images of Non-gonococcal urethritis

Photos of Non-gonococcal urethritis

Podcasts & MP3s on Non-gonococcal urethritis

Videos on Non-gonococcal urethritis

Evidence Based Medicine

Cochrane Collaboration on Non-gonococcal urethritis

Bandolier on Non-gonococcal urethritis

TRIP on Non-gonococcal urethritis

Clinical Trials

Ongoing Trials on Non-gonococcal urethritis at Clinical Trials.gov

Trial results on Non-gonococcal urethritis

Clinical Trials on Non-gonococcal urethritis at Google

Guidelines / Policies / Govt

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Non-gonococcal urethritis

NICE Guidance on Non-gonococcal urethritis

NHS PRODIGY Guidance

FDA on Non-gonococcal urethritis

CDC on Non-gonococcal urethritis

Books

Books on Non-gonococcal urethritis

News

Non-gonococcal urethritis in the news

Be alerted to news on Non-gonococcal urethritis

News trends on Non-gonococcal urethritis

Commentary

Blogs on Non-gonococcal urethritis

Definitions

Definitions of Non-gonococcal urethritis

Patient Resources / Community

Patient resources on Non-gonococcal urethritis

Discussion groups on Non-gonococcal urethritis

Patient Handouts on Non-gonococcal urethritis

Directions to Hospitals Treating Non-gonococcal urethritis

Risk calculators and risk factors for Non-gonococcal urethritis

Healthcare Provider Resources

Symptoms of Non-gonococcal urethritis

Causes & Risk Factors for Non-gonococcal urethritis

Diagnostic studies for Non-gonococcal urethritis

Treatment of Non-gonococcal urethritis

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

CME Programs on Non-gonococcal urethritis

International

Non-gonococcal urethritis en Espanol

Non-gonococcal urethritis en Francais

Business

Non-gonococcal urethritis in the Marketplace

Patents on Non-gonococcal urethritis

Experimental / Informatics

List of terms related to Non-gonococcal urethritis


Overview

Non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) is an inflammation of the urethra which is not caused by gonorrheal infection.

Symptoms

The symptoms of urethritis can include pain or a burning sensation upon urination (dysuria), a white/cloudy discharge and a feeling that one needs to pass urine frequently; however, there are often no symptoms.

Causes

Urethritis can be caused by a number of organisms, including Neisseria gonorrheae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma genitalium, Trichomonas vaginalis, Herpes simplex virus, and Candida albicans, and by a number of non-infectious causes, including urethral stricture, foreign bodies, trauma, Reiter's syndrome, and various autoimmune and allergic conditions.

Of these many causes, the vast preponderance of cases are due to either gonorrhea or chlamydia. It is currently estimated that 50% of NGU cases are caused by chlamydia, with the remainder due to other causes.

Diagnosis

Historically, it has been easy to test for the presence of gonorrhea by viewing a Gram's stain of the urethral discharge under a microscope: the causative organism is distinctive in appearance. Thus, one of the major causes of urethritis can be identified by a simple common test, and the distinction between gonococcal and non-gonococcal urethritis arose historically for this reason.

Identifying chlamydia, the other major cause of urethritis, has required more sophisticated technology, but is now more widely available. These two tests combined identify the cause of most treatable forms of urethritis. If tests for gonorrhea and chlamydia are negative, and the cause of the urethritis has not been otherwise identified, the term non-specific urethritis (NSU) is used. The terms "NGU" and "NSU" are sometimes used inconsistently, but these are the most common meanings in the modern era of treatment.

Treatment

Treatment is based on the prescription and use of the proper antibiotics depending on the strain of the ureaplasma.

Because of its multi-causative nature, initial treatment strategies involve using a broad range antibiotic that is effective against chlamydia (such as doxycycline). It is imperative that both the patient and any sexual contacts are treated. Women who are infected with the organisms that cause NGU may develop pelvic inflammatory disease. If symptoms persist, follow-up with a urologist may be necessary to identify the cause.

If left untreated, complications include epididymitis and infertility. Consistent and correct use of latex condoms during sexual activity greatly reduces the likelihood of infection.

External links

Template:STD/STI

Template:WH Template:WikiDoc Sources