Urethritis (urethra infection)

Urethritis or urethral inflammation is a type of Urinary tract infections (UTIs). Urethritis usually caused by sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Urethritis can be classified into two categories:

1. Gonococcal (gonorrhoeal) urethritis is an acute suppurative condition caused by gonococci (Neisseria gonorrhoeae). Patients tend to present with a more purulent discharge and dysuria. Gonorrheal infection can also increase the risk of contracting and transmitting HIV.
2. Non-gonococcal urethritis is more common and most are caused by C.trachomatis (Chlamydia trachomatis), with less common causes including Mycoplasma genitalium.

Symptoms of urethritis

Urethritis sign and symptoms include:

• Dysuria
• Sensation of urethral itching
• Urethral discharge
• Frequency and urgency of urination
• Present of blood in urine in men

Men will often have symptoms that cause them to seek treatment to prevent transmission to others. This may include urethritis, epididymitis, proctitis or prostatitis. Women are frequently asymptomatic. Complications in women include pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain.

Causes of urethritis

At most of the cases bacteria is the infectious agent. Bacteria that commonly cause urethritis include:

• Gonococcus (is a sexually transmitted pathogen)
• Chlamydia trachomatis (is a sexually transmitted pathogen)
• Mycoplasma genitalium
• E.coli

Urethritis could also cause by viruses, such as adenoviruses, and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Trichomonas vaginalis is a flagellated parasite that infects the urinary tract. T. vaginalis is a common vaginal pathogen but it also has the ability to cause urethritis in men.

Treatment of urethritis

Antibiotic is used to treat urethritis caused by bacteria. The most effective antibiotics in treating urethritis include:

1. Ceftriaxone
2. Azithromycine
3. Doxycycline

Urethritis that is caused by Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) is treated with antiviral drugs, including:

1. Aciclovir
2. Ganciclovir

Urethritis that caused by Trichomonas vaginalis is also called (Trichomoniasis), It is often treated with:

1. Metronidazole
2. Tinidazole