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Male reproductive anatomy
Male reproductive anatomy


Chlamydial urethritis - male

Definition:

Chlamydial urethritis is a sexually transmitted disease involving infection of the urethra (the tube that drains urine from the bladder).



Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Chlamydial urethritis is caused by a type of microorganism that lives as a parasite within human cells and has properties of both viruses and bacteria.

Chlamydia can cause nonspecific urethritis with a discharge from the penis and swollen testes. The symptoms can appear similar to gonorrhea infection but persist after treatment for gonorrhea. Chlamydia and gonorrhea often occur together.

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease in the US and abroad. Approximately 5 out of 10,000 men are affected annually. Risk factors include multiple sexual partners and sexual contact without condoms.

Different strains of chlamydia cause genital, eye, lymph node, and respiratory infections. Chlamydia is the most common cause of blindness in the world. A child born to a woman with a chlamydia infection of the cervix may develop an acute eye or lung infection.




Review Date: 4/14/2004
Reviewed By: Daniel Levy, M.D., Ph.D., Infectious Diseases, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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