urethritis

INFLAMMATION of the mucous lining of the URETHRA , which may be associated with CYSTITIS , often being the cause of the latter. The commonest cause of urethritis is GONORRHOEA (specific urethritis). Alternatively, it may be caused by INFECTION with microorganisms (nonspecific urethritis). The symptoms include pain on passing URINE and a discharge, and inflammations in other organs such as the BLADDER and TESTICLE are possible. SULPHONAMIDE and ANTIBIOTIC drugs are effective once the infecting organism is identified.