Urethritis means inflammation of the urethra ("water pipe"). It can be caused by a number of different germs, including gonorrhoea , chlamydia, ureaplasma and a number of other bacteria, including those found naturally in the throat and anal areas. Although chlamydia is a very common cause of NGU (non-gonococcal urethritis) in straight men, it is less common in gay men.
How is it transmitted?
Because the germs which cause urethritis live in the body's cells and surrounding fluids, they need close contact for transmission to occur. This includes oral, anal and genital contact, the risk may extend to fingering and sharing of sex toys. You can't catch the infection from towels, toilet seats or ordinary social contact - no matter how friendly!
What are the symptoms?
About a third of men with NGU have no symptoms. If you do have symptoms, youÕre likely to notice minor stinging or burning on passing urine and/or a clear or yellowish discharge from the urethra.
How do I know if I have urethritis?
The test for urethritis involves wiping a very fine cotton-tipped swab over the lining of the urethra - the test has a higher "pick-up" rate if you have not passed urine in the proceeding two hours. The doctor can diagnose urethritis immediately by looking at the specimen under the microscope and additional tests are carried out in the laboratory.
What is the treatment?
This very much depends on the cause - and it's usually best if both you and your partner have treatment together. Usually this means a short course of antibiotics - take the complete course, even after the symptoms disappear. Until you and your partner have been back for check-ups to confirm that the problem has cleared, be sure you are having the right kind of low-risk sex.