A Simple Guide to Urethritis

A Simple Guide to Urethritis
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What is Urethritis?
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Urethritis is an acute infection of the urethra(the tube which allows passage of urine from the bladder to the outside).

What are the causes of Urethritis?
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Urethritis is usually caused by the following:

1.sexually transmitted disease like gonorrhea and chlamydia.

2.Urinary infection such as cystitis

3.In males associated with prostatitis

4.Urinary stone stuck in the urethra may cause urethitis

6.urinary catheterisation

7.Injury to the urethra

8.Important component of Reiter's Syndrome

What are the symptoms and signs of Urethritis?
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Persons who has Acute Urethritis has the following

Symptoms:
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1.painful urination

2.purulent discharge from penis in males or vagina in females

3.frequency of urination

4.cloudy and unpleasant smelling urine, sometimes blood in the urine

5.fever and chills

6.Polyathritis and conjunctivitis in Reiter's Syndrome

Signs:
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1. pussy discharge can be seen in male's urethra or in female vagina

2.redness and inflammation of the opening of the urethra

How do you diagnose Urethritis?
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Diagnosis can usually be made by :

1.History of sexual activity followed by frequency of urination, painful urination or pussy discharge from urethra or vagina

2.Urine test shows the presence of pus cells, leucocyte, red blood cells and micro-organisms

3.Urine culture for bacteria and sexually transmitted organisms and the antibiotic most appropriate for it.

4. cystoscopy may be necessary to exclude urinary stones,tumours of the bladder in the case of blood in the urine

What is the complications of Urethritis?
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Upward infections from the urethra can lead to infections of the bladder and kidneys.

What is the treatment of Urethritis?
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Analgesic medicine for pain

Approprate Antibiotics for infections especially after urine bacterial culture

Lots of fluids

What is the prognosis of Urethritis?
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Prognosis is usually good with medication.

Sexual partner may need to be treated.

Recurrence is quite common.