Inflammatory process in the urethra in men is quite common. Urethritis appears regardless of age, so it is very important to consult a doctor at the first signs of a disease of the genitourinary system. Such measures will make it possible to diagnose the problem in a timely manner and prescribe the correct therapy. There are several varieties of this disease, including gonococcal urethritis, which will be discussed later.
Description
This kind of urethritis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by harmful microorganisms such as gonococci and neisseria. During unprotected intercourse, the causative agent of the disease appears on the membrane of the male urethra and begins active reproduction. This process gradually destroys the mucous membrane, it is deformed, and in the future, pathological changes infabrics.
The inflammatory process gradually covers the subepithelial and submucosal tissues, which is explained by the movement of pathogenic microorganisms to the back of the urethra. Bacteria at the same time actively multiply and have a destructive effect on the urination system. The inflammatory process becomes more pronounced starting from the third day after infection.
Classification
There are several varieties of gonococcal urethritis. The main ones are as follows:
- Spicy. Accompanied by soreness and burning during urination. Due to the decay of the mucous membrane and tissues, pus appears, which is released during urination and has a gray color.
- Chronic. This variety occurs against the background of neglect of the disease or when treatment has been ineffective. As a rule, the chronic form of urethritis is called a disease that lasts for more than two months, without having pronounced symptoms. Pain syndrome of a small degree of intensity, discharge either in small quantities or completely absent. Canal glands are affected in the chronic form of urethritis. The inflammatory process in this case has a focal character. Also, chronic gonorrheal urethritis is characterized by the appearance of soft and hard infiltrates, which are later replaced by scars. A similar phenomenon subsequently becomes the cause of the narrowing of the urethra and the occurrence of cysts.
- Latent. It proceeds without severe symptoms. ATIn most cases, a person does not know about the disease and passes it on to a partner through sexual contact. Gonococci are tenacious, as they have increased resistance to negative environmental conditions. They can remain active throughout the day while on household items.
Chronic gonococcal urethritis is subdivided in turn into several types:
- infiltrative;
- granulation;
- urethral adenitis;
- desquamative.
Reasons
Gonococcal urethritis in men can appear for various reasons. The main prerequisite for the development of the disease is the presence of gonococci on the mucous membrane of the urethra, which begin to multiply. In the vast majority of cases (about 90%), infection occurs during sexual intercourse. Moreover, if the disease in a man proceeds in a latent form, he may, due to the absence of symptoms, be unaware of the presence of pathology and be a carrier of harmful bacteria.
In a third of cases, the disease does not manifest itself for several months. Since gonococci can live for some time outside the host's body, infection can occur even through indirect contact. For example, when using the carrier's personal hygiene items, such as towels, sponges, or linens. It is also possible to transmit gonococci when using a shared bath or toilet.
Symptoms
One week after infectionthe first signs of gonococcal urethritis appear. In some cases, the incubation period can take up to several weeks. This directly depends on which part of the urethra was affected by gonococci and where the inflammatory process is localized. When the anterior canal is affected, there is virtually no pain. In the case of the localization of inflammation in the back of the canal, the patient's body temperature can rise greatly, up to 39 degrees. The pain syndrome does not have a pronounced character. A man usually suffers from a burning sensation in the canal when urinating.
Painful urination
The main signal of urethritis is pain during urination. The pain may be sharp, but short-lived. If there is a long urinary retention, the man begins to experience severe discomfort. In the first portion of urine, a purulent gray impurity may appear, as well as urethral threads. Urine is cloudy in color.
If we talk about advanced cases of gonorrheal urethritis, then the appearance of blood in the urine is also possible. Soreness haunts a man during ejaculation. There may also be blood clots in the semen. What tests for STDs for men should be taken to identify this disease?
Diagnosis
Before prescribing treatment, the specialist directs the patient for a detailed examination. This is necessary to clarify the diagnosis and select the correct therapeutic regimen. STD tests for men includefollowing procedures:
- Blood and urine tests.
- A urethral swab to determine the presence and type of infection.
- Scrotum and prostate examination.
- Prostate secretion study.
- Urine analysis according to Nechiporenko.
- PCR.
Deciphering the analysis for gonococci with microscopy looks like this:
- If the result is positive, detritus, mucus (1+), epithelium, leukocytes, normal or modified can be detected in the material.
- Inflammation is present if 3-5 leukocytes are detected, and the number of 10 or more indicates a pronounced inflammatory process.
- Gram-negative bacteria diplococci (Neisser's gonococcus) may be detected by Gram stain.
- A smear for gonococci is regarded as normal if there are no Neisser gonococci in the test material.
As a rule, based on the above tests, a diagnosis is made and antibiotic therapy is prescribed. Antibiotics are selected based on which pathogen caused the urethritis. Gonococcal infections are adversely affected by various groups of antibacterial drugs, including penicillins and tetracyclines. Consider the preparations in detail.
Antibiotics penicillins and tetracyclines
There are a number of penicillin-based drugs that show increased activity against gonococci. The most popular among them are:
- "Benzylpenicillin". It is taken in a course at a dosage of 3, 4million units
- "Ampioks". It is taken for two days at 0.5 grams up to five times a day at equal intervals.
- "Levomycetin". It is taken in a course of 6 grams. Doctors recommend taking the drug in combination with B vitamins and ascorbic acid, which will minimize the side effects of the antibiotic.
Antibiotics often cause allergic reactions, this should be taken into account.
If gonorrheal urethritis has become chronic, antibiotic therapy is carried out in combination with urethral bougienage. Instillations are also carried out with a solution with collargol and silver nitrate.
Among the drugs from the tetracycline group, the following stand out:
- "Erythromycin". Taken at a dosage of 10 million units one hour before meals.
- "Klafran". It is administered intramuscularly twice a day, 1 gram each.
- "Ketocef". Designed for injection at 1.5 grams once a day.
- According to the instructions for use for Oletetrin tablets, this is a combined antibacterial drug with a wide spectrum of action based on tetracycline and oleandomycin. Capsules are very often prescribed for infections of the genitourinary system. The dosage for adults is 250 mg 4 times a day. Duration of therapy - from five to ten days.
Instructions for the use of Oletetrin tablets must be strictly observed.
Immune therapy
Gonococcal urethritis has a strong effect on human immunity. Therefore, along with takingantibiotics (penicillins and tetracyclines), patients are often also prescribed immunostimulating drugs. The most effective ones are:
- "Potassium Orotate". Taken up to four times a day, 0.5 grams.
- "Methyluracil". It has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. It is taken at 0.5 grams in the morning and evening. Treatment is up to two weeks.
- "Glyceram". Taken for ten days at 0.005 grams three times a day.
- Aloe extract can be administered subcutaneously at 1 mg for a month.
In addition, the treatment of urethritis involves the use of various enzyme preparations:
- "Trypsin". Administered intramuscularly for five days in the morning and evening.
- "Plasma". Designed for subcutaneous injection of 1 mg for 10 days.
Prevention
The viability of gonococci when released into the environment is up to a day. To avoid infection, it is necessary to use only personal towels, slippers and other hygiene items. One of the precautions is to treat the things of an infected person with antiseptic agents. You can also wash them at a temperature of at least 60 degrees, and dry in direct sunlight. Under these conditions, gonococci die.
Most often, gonococci are transmitted as a result of unprotected intercourse. Sometimes the infection is localized not only in the urethra, but also in the nasopharynx and rectum. This may be the result of anal or oral sex with a carrier of the disease. For this reason, it is recommended to always use barrier methods of contraception.
If unprotected intercourse has occurred, you need to treat the vagina and urethra in men with solutions based on chlorhexidine or miramistin. This must be done no later than two hours after intercourse.
