Nongonococcal Urethritis

Abstract

Since 1968, gonorrhea has been the most common reportable infectious disease in the United States, and yet in the Dekalb County, Georgia, venereal disease clinic, nongonococcal urethritis is equally prevalent. Unlike gonorrhea, nongonococcal urethritis is not recognized by many physicians and patients. This paper describes the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics shared by these two types of urethritis and suggests methods for their differential diagnosis. A correct diagnosis is essential since treatment, prognosis, and sequelae of the two diseases differ.