What is the Difference Between Nongonococcal Urethritis and Common Urethritis

Non-gonococcal urethritis refers to urethritis caused by other pathogens other than gonococcus, mainly chlamydia trachomatis and urea-decomposing mycoplasma. At present, the disease has surpassed gonorrhea and ranked first in sexually transmitted diseases in European and American countries. The number of cases in China is also increasing, becoming one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases.

Urethritis is relatively common clinically, and both men and women are susceptible to infection. According to the different pathogenic bacteria that cause urethritis, it can be divided into gonococcal urethritis, non-gonococcal urethritis, and common bacterial urethritis.

The difference between nongonococcal urethritis and ordinary urethritis mainly lies in the different causes, clinical manifestations, infectivity, and treatment methods.

1. Different pathogenic bacteria

The main pathogenic bacteria of non-gonococcal urethritis are Chlamydia trachomatis and Ureaplasma urealyticum. Other pathogens include Candida albicans, Trichomonas, etc.

Common urethritis is caused by common bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Streptococcus, and Staphylococcus.

2. Different symptoms

Non-gonococcal urethritis: about 20% to 50% of males do not have obvious clinical symptoms. Symptomatic infections mainly manifest as discomfort during urination, accompanied by increased urethral discharge and presenting as serous or purulent. The clinical manifestations of females are not as typical as those of males, and asymptomatic infections are higher than in males, accounting for approximately 70%.

In the early stage, typical patients may have urethral itching, pain, or a burning sensation. Some will have frequent urination, dysuria, mild redness and swelling of the urethral orifice, and a small amount of mucus outflow. When some patients wake up in the morning, they will find that a membrane formed by secretions seal their urethral orifice, and there are also obvious stains in their underwear.

Female patients may also suffer cervicitis. At this time, the secretions from the vulva are infectious.

Urethritis: Usually, a large amount of thin secretions appear at the external orifice of the urethra. Symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, painful urination, redness, and swelling of the urethral orifice may occur, and they may also be accompanied by symptoms such as low back pain and fever.

3. Different infectiousness

Non-gonococcal urethritis is contagious and mainly transmitted through sexual contact, such as general sexual intercourse, anal intercourse, oral intercourse, etc. Nongonococcal urethritis can also be transmitted through indirect contact. Patients with non-gonococcal urethritis can discharge secretions containing mycoplasma and chlamydia, which are contagious. 

In addition, postpartum women who suffer from nongonococcal urethritis can also transmit mycoplasma and chlamydia to newborns through the birth canal.

Urethritis caused by common bacterial infections is not contagious. It may be caused by low self-resistance, prolonged sitting and holding urine, improper diet, and unclean local external genitalia.

4. Different treatment methods

The effect of general antibiotics on non-gonococcal urethritis is not very obvious. Long-term use of antibiotics is also likely to produce drug resistance, making the condition repeated. Patients can take a Diuretic Anti-inflammatory Pill for conditioning, which has the effect of diuresis, relieving stranguria and eliminating inflammatory infection.

Ordinary urethritis is usually caused by bacterial infection, so conventional broad-spectrum antibiotics are often chosen for treatment. Obvious effects can usually be seen in about 3 days; intravenous treatment can also be chosen for severe cases. It can gradually subside inflammation, relieve symptoms caused by common urethritis, and help patients recover.

Whether it is non-gonococcal urethritis or common urethritis, active treatment is required. Patients should undergo regular examinations during treatment. Only after they are completely cured can they relax to avoid recurrence of the condition.

It is suggested that patients should pay attention to personal hygiene in daily life, change their underwear frequently, and avoid engaging in unclean sexual life. At the same time, patients should also rest and avoid excessive fatigue not to aggravate the disease. If the patient has discomfort symptoms, he should seek medical treatment in time to avoid delaying the condition.

You may also be interested in:

Is Nongonococcal Urethritis a Sexually Transmitted Disease?

Does Urinary Frequency and Urgency Indicate Urethritis or Some Other Disease?

How Does Urethritis Cause Ejaculatory Dysfunction?