NGU & NSU: NON-GONOCOCCAL AND NON-SPECIFIC URETHRITIs

What is Urethritis?

Is inflammation of the urethra (the tube carrying urine from the bladder) caused by a viral or bacterial infection.

What is NGU?

NGU (Non-gonococcal urethritis). Chlamydia is the most common cause and affects both men and women.

What is NSU?

NSU (Non-specific Urethritis). Is generally a result of using a catheter or soaps.

Untreated NGU and NSU can result in:

• Inflammation of a joint(s)
• Inflammation of the eyes

How is NGU/NSU transmitted?

1. Unsafe oral, vaginal, or anal sex may cause NGU and NSUs. Vigorous friction during sexual intercourse or masturbation or an allergic reaction to detergent or soap can be responsible for NSU.
2. People with undiagnosed HIV may be more prone to NGU/NSU and with a higher viral load increases the likelihood of transmitting the infection to others. People are more susceptible to HIV if they are infected with a NGU/NSU.
3. Symptoms of NGU/NSU:
4. Instant (usually triggered by irritants like soap).

• Frequent urination
• Pain or a burning sensation on urinating
• Irritation at the tip of the penis
• White or cloudy discharge from the genital that can be seen first thing in the morning

Occasionally, symptoms may only develop after a couple of weeks.

How to prevent NGU/NSU

Using condoms during anal, vaginal, or oral sex will prevent/transmit it to others.

Other preventive measures are:

• Avoid sharing sex toys.
• Get regular checkups to test for any NGU/NSUs or other STIs especially if you are sexually active.

HIV treatment centres with affiliated sexual health clinics are available where treatments can be obtained free of charge without a referral from your doctor or GP.

Diagnosis of NGU/NSU

Both a NGU and NSU can be tested during a general sexual health check-up at a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic or a sexual health clinic like ours.

You can freely access GUM clinics since they are available for confidential treatment.

An NGU It is easily identifiable and more frequent, however if Chlamydia is suspected the test results can take up to a week

Males require either a swab test of the tip of the penis and/or a urine test.

Females require a virginal swab of her cervix.

Both are taken by a specialist nurse or doctor and then sent to the laboratory for testing.

How's NGU/NSU treated?

NGU/NSU is treated with antibiotics.

Contacting your sexual partners for testing is recommended as they will also require treatment to prevent the cycle of re-infection.

We recommend a follow-up visit to the clinic 2 or 3 weeks after treatment has ended to ensure the infection has completely resolved and for further advice on how to stay safe from STIs.

It is important to avoid sex, even protected sex, until your treatment is completed and you are tested negative for a NGU/NSU.