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STDs (Expert Forum)
persistent symptoms
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, Warts, Yeast Infection.All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.
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persistent symptoms
by richpod, Oct 22, 2005 12:00AM
Several years ago I contracted NGU from a former girlfriend. Swabs for gonnorhoea and chlamydia were negative. I was treated with doxycycline but the symptoms of a clear sticky discharge returned after finishing the course. I have subsequently seen several doctors and each time swabs, urine cultures and blood tests(for HIV/syphilis) have been negative. Several courses of various antibiotics have made no difference including a 3 month course of ofloxacin to cover the possibility of prostatitis. I was referred to a Urologist who found no abnormality on cystoscopy and said there was only mild scarring around the meatus bot otherwise nothing abnornmal. He suggested that I should learn to live with the symptoms and that it was very unlikely there would be any significant complications caused by my symptoms and the symptoms may settle without any further treatment. My current partner of 6 years has no symptoms but I continue to get intermittent clear sticky discharge from the penis with occassional irritation of the head of the penis and foreskin which quickly settles. I have put up with the symptoms for years but occassionaly check the internet to see if there have been any advances in treating my condition. I was alarmed to read on one site that untreated urethritis could spread to the kidneys and cause scarring and renal impairment. Is this a posssibilty? Is my wife also at risk? If this were a possibility could this lead to dialysis? Is there anything further I can do to treat this? I have seen a website in Russia that claims to possibly help treat chronic urethritis by using a device called Uro-biofon. Do you know anything about this? Many thanks for your help.
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Oct 22, 2005 12:00AM
, Oct 22, 2005 12:00AM
Persitent or recurrent NGU, which may (or may not) sometimes include a component of prostate gland involvement (prostaitis) is a conundrum. The causes are not known, and it is a perplexing and frustrating problem both for men with the problem, like you, and their health care providers. It isn't certain it is an infection at all; some cases might be due to an immunologic mechanism that doesn't involve infection. Many apparent cases may be more psychological than physicoloical, but this probably doesn't apply in your case; psychological issues can influence discomfort but will not cause a discharge.
But most important, once gonorrhea and chlmydia have been excluded, and after the standard treatments have been tried (e.g., prolonged ofloxacin treatment, which you have had), there is no evidence that the condition leads to anything dangerous: no kidney damage (unlike what you have read), no cancer, no infertility, no epidymitis, nothing. And apparently there is nothing that can be transmitted to a sex partner, or at least there is no known harm to partners.
Sorry I can't help more, but at least you need not worry about serious outcomes. I suggest you recheck with your doctor every year or so in case new developments in research lead to new approaches. In the meantime, follow your doctors' advice.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
But most important, once gonorrhea and chlmydia have been excluded, and after the standard treatments have been tried (e.g., prolonged ofloxacin treatment, which you have had), there is no evidence that the condition leads to anything dangerous: no kidney damage (unlike what you have read), no cancer, no infertility, no epidymitis, nothing. And apparently there is nothing that can be transmitted to a sex partner, or at least there is no known harm to partners.
Sorry I can't help more, but at least you need not worry about serious outcomes. I suggest you recheck with your doctor every year or so in case new developments in research lead to new approaches. In the meantime, follow your doctors' advice.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
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