Nonspecific urethritis is an infection of the urethra that can be sexually transmitted and requires antibiotics. If left untreated, it can cause serious complications such as kidney damage and loss of fertility. Symptoms include burning when urinating and cloudy urine. Patients should avoid sexual contact and complete the full course of antibiotics. If the infection recurs, a doctor may need to test for antibiotic resistance.
Nonspecific urethritis is an infection of the urethra not associated with gonorrhea. It is often a sexually transmitted infection, although patients can get it in other ways. Treatment requires completing a course of antibiotics and complete medication completion to prevent recurrence. It is important that patients who suspect they may have nonspecific urethritis receive an evaluation, as it can potentially spread and cause serious complications including kidney damage and loss of fertility.
Patients with nonspecific urethritis experience a burning sensation when urinating, a frequent urge to urinate, and a cloudy or muddy color in the urine. If the infection is left untreated, it can potentially spread to the bladder and can also pass through the kidneys. In men, it can infect the prostate, while women can develop vaginal infections with nonspecific urethritis. This will lead to an increase in pelvic pain and discomfort.
A doctor may order a culture or swab to check for common bacteria. He will usually want to rule out gonorrhea infections and chlamydia to determine the most appropriate antibiotic to prescribe. In addition to taking antibiotics, patients may find it helpful to drink liquids, especially acidic liquids such as cranberry juice. They should avoid sexual contact, especially penetrative intercourse, as they may pass the bacteria to their partners and create a situation where partners pass the bacteria back and forth to each other, perpetuating the infection.
Patients often begin to feel better within about a week of starting antibiotics. It is important to make sure the infection clears up completely before resuming normal activities and stopping antibiotics, as patients typically start to improve before the bacterial colonies are completely gone. Patients who experience severe side effects from antibiotics can discuss them with a doctor to see if a drug switch is possible. If the infection seems to come back after treatment, your doctor may need to do a culture to test for antibiotic resistance and find a more suitable drug for treatment.
Untreated nonspecific urethritis carries serious risks. As the infection spreads, it can cause inflammation, leading to increased pain and tenderness. The urethra can swell so much that patients cannot urinate, putting them at risk for bladder and kidney injury. Kidney infections can cause permanent damage and the infection can lead to loss of fertility. Although patients are sometimes reluctant to seek treatment for sexually transmitted infections due to embarrassment, the consequences of not getting treatment can be very unpleasant.
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