Complicated Aspects Of Urethritis
Typically, urethritis can be treated swiftly with medication. However, if left untreated, the consequences can be fatal and long-lasting. For instance, the infection could travel to the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. These infections can be irritating on their own. They are treatable with stronger antibiotics, but if left untreated for too long, they may result in organ injury. If left untreated, it can travel to the bloodstream and result in potentially fatal sepsis.
Penile edoema, periurethral abscesses, post-inflammatory urethral strictures, and penile lymphangitis have been linked to the most common causes of urethritis, such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae, as well as penile edoema, periurethral abscesses, and post-inflammatory urethral strictures. Chlamydia trachomatis sequelae are associated with infertility, ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disorder, proctitis, Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome, and reactive arthritis. (13)
Urethritis, uveitis, and arthritis comprise the complete triad of reactive arthritis, also known as Reiter syndrome. This rare disease caused by Chlamydia trachomatis is manifested by acute epididymitis, orchitis, and prostatitis.
Other complications of urethritis include Fournier’s gangrene, lymphogranuloma venereum, and paraurethral gland infection.
Certain serotypes of Chlamydia trachomatis cause lymphogranuloma venereum, which is frequently asymptomatic or accompanied by constitutional symptoms, but can also result in strictures and fistulae.
Up to 45% mortality is associated with Fournier’s gangrene, which is caused by gram-negative rods, aerobic gram-positive cocci, and anaerobes.
The organism obtained in culture determines the type of urethral gland infection. Previously known as Reiter’s syndrome, reactive arthritis contains urethritis as one of its components. Other components include uveitis, arthritis, and, most commonly, skin and mucous membrane disorders. In 1% to 2% of non-gonococcal urethritis cases, reactive arthritis is present.
Lastly, approximately 4% of patients have an oculogenital disorder accompanied by non-gonococcal urethritis and conjunctivitis.
Difficulties in female
Bladder and cervix infections are prevalent complications in women. 10-40% of female patients have been observed to develop PID (pelvic inflammatory disease), which is painful and can result in infertility, ectopic pregnancy, continuous pelvic pain, and pain during intercourse. The most frequent reason for this is post-inflammatory scarring of the fallopian tubes. Reactive arthritis and gonococcal infections have been reported in less than one percent of female patients.
In addition, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that frequently cause urethritis may be detrimental to fertility. Women with untreated STIs have an increased risk of ectopic pregnancies, which can be fatal.
When an expectant mother suffers from urethritis, neonatal disorders have been observed. Pathogens such as T. pallidum and N. gonorrhoea are linked to prematurity, neonatal pneumonia, spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, low birth weight, and certain congenital abnormalities.
Males suffer from complications.
Inflammation or infection of the prostate gland, bladder infection, cystitis, orchitis, testicles, or scarring restriction of a segment of the urethra may cause males to experience painful urination. Males are less susceptible to morbidity, with only 1-2 percent experiencing it. This typically manifests as urethral stenosis or urethral strictures as a consequence of post-inflammatory fibrosis.
