URETHRITISBy: Simmi Lally & Sharon Chand

WHAT IS URETHRITIS?•Urethritis is the inflammation and swelling of the urethea.

•Urethea is the tube that carries urine from the bladder and expels it outside of the body.

•You can get this disease if there is an infection around or in the urethea, as well as having multiple sexual partners.

THE DIAGRAM OF THE URETHEA:

CAUSES OF URETHRITIS:

•Either a virus or bacteria entering the urethea is usually the main cause.

•Although, bacterial infections in the urethea are the most common infections.

•Bacteria enters the urethea from the skin around the urethea's opening. This causes the bacterial infection, which then causes the inflammation of the urethea (urethritis).

•E.coli is an example of a bacteria that is most common to cause this disease.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

•Pain when urinating is the main symptom of urethritis.

•Sudden urges to urinate

•Difficulty urinating

•Discomfort, pain and itching are other factors that are experienced when not urinating.

•Pain during sexual intercourse.

•In women, discharge from the urethral opening.

•In men, blood in the urine and semen.

THE RISK FACTORS FOR URETHRITIS:

•1) having multiple sexual partners.

•2) history of having sexually transmitted diseases.

•3) unprotected sex.

•4) high-risk sexual behaviour.

•5)certain acidic foods.

HOW MANY CANADIANS GET URETHRITIS:

DIAGNOSIS:A doctor will usually ask the patient about his/her symptoms and how they feel. Examination of the genital area will most likely be required as part of

the diagnostic process. Urine samples are sometimes required to be analyzed by the doctor.

•A test can be allowed by the doctor if a certain STI is suspected to confirm that diagnosis.

PREVENTION & TREATMENT:

•Taking antibiotics or antiviral medication.

•Not having sexual intercourse.

•Having protected sex.

•Having one uninfected partner.

•Certain exams and tests, such as cystocopy, urinalysis, etc.

TREATMENT: URINALYSIS•A urine test is required.

•The urine sample will be sent to a lab where it is examined.

•Physical appearance, clearness and color will be examined by the lab scientists.

•During the test, there is no discomfort, as the test only requires normal urination.

•This test is usually as part of a routine medical exam to detect early signs of disease.

LINKS:•webmd.com

•medicalnewstoday.com

•medicinenet.ca

•healthcanada.ca

•thirdage.com

•healthline.com

•prevention.com

•nytimes.com