THE SUN DOCTOR

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DEAR SUN DOC

I have been having this problem for almost five months now, a mild clear urethral discharge. All tests show no sign of any bacterial infection. What could be the possible cause? The discharge is clear, no odour. Billy

DEAR BILLY

When you have discharge from the urethra, you are most likely to have infection, which may be bacterial, viral, parasitic or fungal. The infection may be restricted to the urethra or may have spread to other parts such as the urinary bladder, the prostrate or the epididymis. If the infection is not treated or is under-treated, then the symptoms may persist for a while.

Since the discharge has been present for several months, it would be advisable for you to have analysis and culture of samples from the urine and discharge, checking for obvious infection, and also checking for other specific possible infections such as chlamydia test, herpes simplex test; cytomegalovirus test, trichomoniasis test, among others.

This is important because many of these infections are not normally visible in the routine tests. You should also be examined for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. It may also be advisable to have the prostrate and the testicles examined by a urologist. Other tests are done depending on other symptoms that you may have.

Despite testing negative for bacterial infection, it is advisable to get treatment then re-assess after 21 days. Any current or recent (six months before discharge started) sexual partner should also be treated to avoid reinfection. Also avoid anything that may irritate the urethra or cause inflammation, and avoid pressing the penis to check for discharge. Recurrent discharge usually means there is recurrent inflammation that puts someone at high risk of developing complications like urethral stricture (narrowing of the urethra) and cancer, and it is therefore important for it to be treated early and to avoid recurrence.