The management of chronic non-gonococcal urethritis

Non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases today. Oral tetracyclines and erythromycin are well established choices of treatment. Despite adequate treatment, about 30-35% of NGU persist or recur. The cause of persistence or recurrence remains unknown. Prostate gland involvement has to be ruled out where indicated. A 4 to 6 week course of tetracyclines or erythromycin is suggested for persistent or recurrent NGU. Counselling to emphasize that chronic NGU is probably a self limited disorder would be of help.