For men.

"How do I know if I have a Chlamydial genital infection?"
"What is NSU?"

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, 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.

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MeWard 2011.