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What is Non-gonococcal urethritis [NGU] ?
Non-specific urethritis is an inflammation of a man’s urethra. (The urethra is that part of the penis through which urine and sperm pass).
The inflammation can be caused by several different types of infection, the most common being chlamydia.
Signs and symptoms
These include:
- Pain or a burning sensation when passing urine
- White/cloudy discharge from the tip of the penis. This may be more noticeable first thing in the morning
- Feeling that you need to pass urine frequently
- In many cases it is completely asymptomatic
How NGU develops
Diagnosis and treatment
The tests for NGU include:
These tests should not be painful, but they may be uncomfortable.
N.B. Do not pass urine for at least 4 hours before attending the clinic. If this is not done the
doctor will not be able to make an accurate and reliable diagnosis!
Samples taken during examination are looked at under a microscope to check for infection. The result will be available immediately. A second sample is sent to the laboratory for confirmation of the infection. The result is usually available in 1-2 weeks.
Treatment is a week’s course of antibiotics which are free of charge.
It is important that you finish the full course of treatment. If the treatment is interrupted, it may be necessary to start again from the beginning.
It is very important that your partner(s) should also attend the clinic for a check-up, especially female ones. This is because the female equivalent of NGU is almost invariably asymptomatic, and can lead to serious complications if left untreated.
Follow-up
It is important to return for a check-up after you have completed the treatment to ensure that the infection's gone.
You should not have sex, not even with a condom, until you are given the all-clear by the doctor.
Complications
NGU may recur. Complications are rare. If they do occur you may experience:
Sexual partners
Remember that if you always use condoms you reduce your risk of getting or passing on sexually transmitted infections in the future.
Where to go for help
GU (Genitourinary) Clinic
Boffa Hospital
Floriana
To make an appointment please phone 21227981. You might find an answering machine. Please be patient;
either leave a contact number or else try later.
In this clinic confidentiality is guaranteed. Samples taken during examination are only marked by a code
number; your name is not used.
Nobody will be told of your visit without your express permission.
Copyright 2002,
Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention Committee
Genito-Urinary Clinic,
Boffa Hospital, Floriana, Malta
All rights reserved. Site Use Statement
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