NGU:
Fast Facts
Sexual
Most germs that cause NGU can be passed during sex (vaginal, anal or oral) that involves direct mucous membrane contact with an infected person. These germs can be passed even if the penis or tongue does not go all the way into the vagina, mouth or rectum, and even if body fluids aren’t exchanged.
Nonsexual
Perinatal
During birth, infants maybe exposed to the germs causing NGU in passage through the birth canal. This may cause the baby to have infections in the:
Men (urethral infection)
Women (vaginal/urethral infection)
The germs that cause NGU in men might cause other infections in women. These might include vaginitis or mucopurulent cervicitis (MPC). Women may also be asymptomatic (have no symptoms). Symptoms of NGU in women can include:
Anal or Oral Infections
Anal infection may result in rectal itching, discharge, or pain on defecation. Oral infection may occur. Most (90%) are asymptomatic, but some people might have a sore throat.
An NGU diagnosis is made when a man has urethritis (inflammation of the urethra), but gonorrhea is ruled out because he has a negative gonorrhea culture and/or gram stain. Other tests include chlamydia culture or urinalysis (sometimes, but rarely).
In women, it may be diagnosed by chlamydia culture. A gonorrhea culture may be done to rule out gonorrhea.
NGU is treated with antibiotics. Some treatments are not appropriate for someone who is pregnant, so someone who is pregnant, or thinks they might be, should inform their healthcare provider.
Some general treatment guidelines:
Left untreated, the germs that cause NGU-especially chlamydia-can lead to complications:
Men
Women
Men or Women
Infections caused by anal sex might lead to severe proctitis (inflamed rectum).
If you have been told that you have NGU, talk to your partner(s), and let them know so they can be tested and treated. The most common cause of NGU is chlamydia, and it is easy to pass from an infected partner to one who is not infected. A man who is diagnosed with NGU should tell his female sex partner and ask her to get tested. He can prevent lasting damage to her body by telling her right away. All sex partners of someone diagnosed with NGU should be treated because:
ASHA believes that all people have the right to the information and services that will help them to have optimum sexual health. We envision a time when stigma is no longer associated with sexual health and our nation is united in its belief that sexuality is a normal, healthy, and positive aspect of human life.
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