An STD That Can Also
Be Transmitted to Your Partner
Urethritis is the most common STD among adults! Without proper treatment, it can cause irreversible complications not only for the patient but also for the female partner.
What Is Urethritis?
Urethritis is the most common STD — so common that "catching an STD" often refers to urethritis. Urethritis can be classified into several types based on the causative organism. The most representative is gonorrhea, which is caused by a bacterium called gonococcus (Neisseria gonorrhoeae). Urethritis caused by organisms other than gonococcus is collectively called non-gonococcal urethritis. The most common cause of non-gonococcal urethritis is Chlamydia, with other possible causes including Mycoplasma, Candida, Trichomonas, and Herpes virus.
Route of Urethritis Infection
Primarily Transmitted Through
Vaginal, Oral, or Anal Intercourse
Transmission can occur even without penetration of the penis or tongue into the vagina, mouth, or rectum, and even without exchange of secretions. If penetration occurs or secretions are exchanged, the risk of transmission increases significantly.
Common Causative Organisms
Chlamydia, Ureaplasma, Mycoplasma, Trichomonas, Candida, Haemophilus, E. coli, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Herpes, Adenovirus
Symptoms of Urethritis
01
Symptoms of urethritis typically appear after an incubation period of 2 days to 1 month following sexual contact.
02
Urethral discomfort, pain or burning sensation during urination, itching, and redness of the urethral opening may occur. Discharge or pus may also be released through the urethra.
03
In the case of gonorrhea, delayed treatment can lead to complications, but it generally responds well to treatment. Non-gonococcal urethritis often recurs even after prolonged treatment because the causative organism is difficult to identify.
04
Approximately 10–40% of cases show recurrence after antibiotic treatment.
Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (PCR)
Recently, by collecting urethral discharge or first-void urine, a nucleic acid amplification test (PCR) can be performed to simultaneously diagnose the causative organisms.
Treatment of Urethritis
Sexual partners must also be treated together to prevent reinfection.
The appropriate antibiotic must be administered based on the identified causative organism, and the partner must also be treated to prevent reinfection. Especially for women, even when infected with the causative organisms of urethritis, symptoms are often absent or mild. Therefore, it is essential to get tested after any suspicious sexual contact.
An STD That Spreads
Even Without Symptoms — 'Gonorrhea'
Gonorrhea can be transmitted even without symptoms, so if there is any suspicion, getting tested is the safest approach.
What Is Gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonococcus). Gonococcus can invade various parts of the body but primarily causes inflammation of the male urethra and female cervix. It is a sexually transmitted infection that spreads through contact.
Route of Gonorrhea Infection
Transmitted Through
Vaginal, Oral, or Anal Intercourse
Gonorrhea can be transmitted even without full penetration of the penis or tongue into the vagina, mouth, or rectum, and even without exchange of secretions. If penetration occurs or secretions are exchanged, the risk of transmission increases significantly.
Symptoms of Gonorrhea
Most men develop symptoms within 2 to 7 days after infection. However, symptoms may appear as early as the next day or as late as 30 days later. Most women have no symptoms, and initial symptoms are generally mild. When symptoms do appear, they usually develop within 10 days. When gonorrhea occurs in the mouth, 90% of cases show no symptoms, though rarely the throat may become swollen and sore.
1. Male
Discharge from the urethra, or pain and burning sensation during urination.
2. Female
Increased vaginal discharge, pain in the vagina during intercourse, or pain and burning sensation during urination. Women often have no symptoms, and initial symptoms are generally mild.
Diagnosis of Gonorrhea
Nucleic Acid Amplification Test
(Multi-PCR)
A method that amplifies and detects bacterial DNA from specimens (urine, urethral discharge, vaginal discharge, saliva, etc.) at the suspected infection site. The accuracy is extremely high. Diagnosis is possible even in asymptomatic or ambiguous cases, and co-infected organisms can also be detected. This also helps in determining whether the partner is infected and whether treatment is necessary.
Treatment of Gonorrhea
A person infected with gonorrhea should be considered potentially contagious to others from the time of initial contact with the carrier until treatment is fully completed.
Treatment is available using injectable and oral medications. All sexual partners must be tested and treated, and sexual intercourse must be avoided until treatment is complete. When using a nucleic acid amplification test (PCR) for a test of cure, the test should be performed at least 3 weeks after the end of treatment to avoid false-positive results.
Treatment Process
01
Registration
Smoother treatment is possible with a prior appointment.
02
Consultation
In-person consultation with the doctor.
03
Examination
Tests determined after consultation are performed.
04
Treatment
Treatment is carried out based on examination results.
05
Discharge
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