Urethritis is inflammation of the urethra caused by a sexually transmitted disease. It is categorized as gonococcal urethritis caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which presents with yellow or white discharge and pain during urination. Or it can be nongonococcal urethritis caused by Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Trichomonas, herpes, or other viruses, which presents with minimal pain and clear discharge. Diagnosis involves history, exam, and testing for syphilis and HIV. Treatment uses antibiotics like azithromycin or ceftriaxone. Complications can include strictures or abscesses in the urethra.

1. Renal Conditions
Urethritis
By Okumu Atanas

2. Defn:
• Urethritis is defined as inflammation of the urethra caused by a
sexually transmitted disease (STD).

3. Causes/Etiology
This condition is normally categorized as either
1. Gonococcal urethritis (GU)-Neisseria gonorrhoeae presents with
opaque yellow or white discharge and significant dysuria.
2. Nongonococcal urethritis (NGU)-Chlamydia trachomatis,
Mycoplasma genitalium, Trichomonas vaginalis, herpes simplex virus,
Epstein Barr virus, and Adenovirus.
Presents with minimal dysuria, and scant or mucoid or clear discharge.

4. Signs and symptoms
• Urethral discharge: May be yellow, green, brown, or tinged with
blood; production unrelated to sexual activity
• Dysuria (in men)
• urinary frequency and urgency are typically absent Itching/stinging:
• Sensation of urethral itching or irritation
• Orchalgia: Pain in the testicles
• Worsening of symptoms during the menstrual cycle (occasionally).
• Systemic symptoms (eg, fever, chills, sweats, nausea) are typically
absent

5. Diagnosis
• careful history-social/sexual history
• physical examination-penis, urethra, Testes, prostate, rectal,
lymphatics, skin, pelvis.
• Syphilis, pregnancy, HIV testing.

6. Management
• Antibiotics used includes Azithromycin, Ceftriaxone, Cefixime,
Gemifloxacin, Gentamicin, Doxycycline, Erythromycin, Levofloxacin,
Ofloxacin, Moxifloxacin. Often combined
• Catheter placement may be done to relieve Urinary retention

7. Complications
• urethral stricture, stenosis, or abscess