Non-Gonococcal Urethritis (NGU)

WHAT IS NON-GONOCOCCAL URETHRITIS (NGU)?
It is sexually transmitted infection in males who present with urethral discharge and dysuria. Several bacteria may be responsible, the most common ones being chlamydia trachomatis and ureaplasma urealyticum.


WHAT ARE THE SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF NGU?

  • Symptoms usually occur about 1 to 3 weeks after infection
  • Presenting symptoms are urethral discharge and dysuria (burning and irritation during urination). There may be a white or yellow discharge
  • The signs and symptoms are very similar to gonococcal urethritis and thus accurate laboratory tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis and exclude gonorrhoea
  • In some men, there may be very mild symptoms or none at all and diagnosis is made only after laboratory testing


WHAT ARE THE LONG TERM COMPLICATIONS OF NGU?

  • If left untreated the infection may spread to the surrounding organs such as testis, epididymis, prostate
  • This may lead to infertility and chronic pain
  • There may also be complications affecting the skin, joints and eyes



HOW IS NGU DIAGNOSED?

  • Smear and culture tests on secretions from the urethra help to confirm the diagnosis
  • Blood tests have no value in this condition



HOW IS NGU TREATED?

  • Oral antibiotics (tetracyclines, erythromycin, ofloxacin, azithromycin) are the treatments of choice
  • Injections are not useful in the treatment of NGU



CAN THE INFECTION RECUR?

  • Yes, recurrent or chronic urethritis is known to occur in 10% to 15% of patients even after adequate treatment


WHAT SHOULD I DO?

  • Seek medical treatment, do not self medicate
  • Inform the doctor of any drug allergy
  • Refrain from sex until cured
  • Complete the course of treatment prescribed
  • Refer your sex partner(s) for check-up so that he/she can be treated early if found to be infected
  • Always practise safer sex with casual partners and prostitutes (sex workers)



WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO RETURN FOR MY FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENTS?

  • It is important to return for follow because symptoms that have resolved, do not necessarily indicate the infection has been cured
  • At DSC, patients will be given follow-up appointments as part of the management of the infection.
  • For NGU infection, patients are required to attend 14 days from the treatment date for a test of cure. A urethral smear will be performed.
  • Patients will have to hold urine for 4 hours before the test can be performed.
  • Patients will also be given a 3rd mth appointment for blood test to screen for Syphilis
  • DSC will contact patients who have missed their appointments, either by phone or letter as a gentle reminder.
  • Please inform the clinic if there is any change of phone number or address.



WHAT IS SAFER SEX?

  • This is sex without the exchange of body fluids, e.g. vaginal secretions or semen during sex
  • Use condoms correctly and every time you have sex
  • Do not consume alcohol before or during sex, this may impair your judgment

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Call the AIDS/STI helplines at 6295 2944 for more information