nonspecific urethritis

urethritis

[u″re-thri´tis] inflammation of the urethra, often a symptom of gonorrhea" >gonorrhea(gonococcal urethritis) but sometimes caused by another infectious organism. The urethra swells and narrows and the flow of urine is impeded; both urination and the urgency to urinate increase and there is burning pain, sometimes with a purulent discharge, on urination. It usually responds to treatment with antibiotics or sulfonamides.nongonococcal urethritis (nonspecific urethritis) a sexually transmitted inflammation of the urethra caused by any of various organisms other than gonococci.

non·spe·cif·ic u·re·thri·tis

urethritis not resulting from gonococcal, chlamydial, or other specific infectious agents. Synonym(s): simple urethritis

urethritis

(ur?e-thrit'is) [ urethra + -itis] Inflammation of the urethra.

anterior urethritis

Inflammation of that portion of the urethra anterior to the anterior layer of the triangular ligament.

gonococcal urethritis

Urethritis caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

nongonococcal urethritis

Abbreviation: NGU
Urethral inflammation caused by organisms other than Neisseria gonorrhoeae. NGU is the most common sexually transmitted disease in men; it accounts for 4 to 6 million physician visits annually. The symptoms usually include painful urination and a urethral discharge. The two organisms most frequently associated with NGU are Chlamydia trachomatis and Ureaplasma urealyticum. Other causes include herpes simplex virus, Trichomonas vaginalis, Haemophilus influenzae, Gardnerella vaginalis, and Clostridium difficile.

Treatment

NGU due to C. trachomatis or U. urealyticum is treated with doxycycline or azithromycin. Appropriate antibiotics are used for other causative organisms.