Primary care management of sexually transmitted urethritis in adolescent males.
OBJECTIVE
To describe current knowledge about diagnosis, screening, and treatment of sexually transmitted urethritis among adolescent and young adult males.


METHODS
Current research, systematic reviews, consensus guidelines and the author's clinical experience.


CONCLUSIONS
Urethritis, the most common sexually transmitted syndrome in young males, is most frequently caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and/or Neisseria gonorrhea. Symptoms include dysuria and penile discharge, although up to 50% of males are asymptomatic. Risky sexual behaviors and lack of access to healthcare increase incidence of this infection. Transmission to female partners can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and neonatal infection.


CONCLUSIONS
Young males with urethritis must be treated as soon as diagnosis is established. Consensus guidelines exist for diagnosis and treatment of gonococcal and non-gonococcal urethritis. Careful patient education is necessary to ensure successful treatment. Prevention of repeat infections requires partner treatment and detailed education about safer sexual practices. Improved access to preventive services for young males should be a healthcare priority.
Lindberg
Claire E
CE
College of New Jersey School of Nursing, Ewing, NJ, USA.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D017280:Condoms; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014526:Urethritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*