Chlamydial infection causes one of the commonest STIs throughout the world,
NSU. NSU stands for non-specific urethritis. This is
essentially an inflammation (irritation) of the urethra (water
passage), an urethritis.
It is called non-specific urethritis because often the causative germs are not identified.
Nevertheless, it is clear that Chlamydia are a cause of a large proportion of these
cases. Symptoms of infection, where present, may often outlast the infection
itself.
The signs and symptoms of the infection include:
- Pain or a burning sensation when passing urine or during sex
- The feeling that you need to pass urine frequently
- A white, cloudy fluid from the penis, often most noticeable first
thing in the morning.
Occasionally urethritis may be caused by other germs, by
urinary tract infection, or by a reaction to bubble baths, washing powders or
other chemicals. It is also possible to get a urethritis (not NSU) from bowel bacteria following unprotected anal sex. A profuse, painful
yellowish discharge may be indicative of another
STI, such as gonorrhoea.
To get the right treatment you need to seek medical advice from your doctor or a
specialist clinic. If untreated, the infection that causes NSU may persist and give rise
to pain or other problems later on, in you or your partner.
[MEW] January 2008
