NSU (non-specific urethritis)

Urethritits is inflammation of the urethra or water passage which can cause discomfort or pain when you pee. Sometimes it is called non-specific urethritis (NSU).

It can easily be treated with antibiotics.

The condition is known as non-specific urethritis because in some cases the cause is not yet known. It is possible for men and women to have NSU, but it is more difficult to diagnose in women. In about half of men who have symptoms no specific germ/bacteria is found, in the other half of NSU cases, bacteria called chlamydia cause the infection. Chlamydia can also affect women.

One of the main reasons it is as common is that often there are no obvious symptoms.

Some symptoms you may notice are

•  white or cloudy discharge from the tip of the penis
•  difficulty peeing
•  feeling the need to pee more frequently
•  itching or irritation

Because signs or symptoms may not show up , people often do not realise they have the infection, or that they need treatment, and that they can pass the infection on to sexual partners unwittingly. It is most commonly passed from one person to another through vaginal sex, however there is a risk of it being passed on through anal sex, (the risk of picking up chlamydia through oral sex is thought to be very small).

The best way to prevent all sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, is to practice safer sex.
If you are concerned and you think you may have an infection visit your GP or local sexual health clinic