Abnormal discharge
from vagina or penis
Symptoms of abnormal discharge
from the vagina or penis could be due to:
AIDS
Symptoms
and indications: Early symptoms include
enlargement of lymph glands and spleen, fever, fatigue,
bruising and bleeding easily, Thrush-type infections,
diarrhoea and weight loss, dermatitis and respiratory
illnesses. Later, a person develops further serious
infections or cancers. These include herpes infections,
pneumonia, meningitis, serious gastrointestinal
disorders (e.g. salmonella infections), Kaposi's
sarcoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. A number of
illnesses may occur, some of which are particularly
associated with Aids and are known as "Aids
indicator conditions".
Treatment:
The symptoms of Aids-related
infections can be alleviated with appropriate drug
treatments, if not entirely cured. other drugs,
such as dideoxyinosine and zidovudine, may be helpful,
and many other preparations are helpful depending
on the nature of the symptoms.
Persons most
commonly affected: All
age groups and both sexes but affected infants acquire
the condition at birth from mothers who have Aids.
GONORRHOEA
Symptoms
and indications: In Men: Burning
pain on passing urine, which is cloudy and may contain
pus, thick yellowish-green discharge from the penis
(gleet), enlargement of glands in the groin. If
untreated, fibrous tissue may form causing narrowing
of the urethra and difficulty in passing urine.
There may be pains in the joints and other organs,
the bladder, testicles and prostate gland may become
inflamed and tender.
In Women: Women may have fewer
symptoms than men and these include yellowish-green
vaginal discharge (gleet), burning pain on passing
urine, which may contain pus. Also the Bartholin's
glands (which are sited near the opening of the
vagina) often become ulcerated and inflamed. If
untreated, the infection and inflammation spreads
to the main reproductive organs, the womb, Fallopian
tubes and ovaries. The damage is likely to cause
infertility and other long-term problems, and occasionally,
life threatening peritonitis from an infected Fallopian
tube. A person showing any symptoms of gonorrhoea
or who has cause for concern should consult a doctor
immediately.
Treatment:
The patient is usually referred to a hospital clinic
specializing in venereal diseases, and diagnosis
is confirmed by examination of a sample of the discharge.
Treatment is usually very effective through the
taking of penicillin, sulphonamides or tetracycline,
and can be cured within one or two weeks. The person
may need checks for a few more weeks to make sure
that the infection has totally cleared. During the
course of treatment, the person should refrain from
sexual activity, be scrupulous in personal hygiene
and not share towels etc. The person should wash
the hands frequently and especially avoid rubbing
or touching the eyes. Sexual partners should be
informed.
Persons most
commonly affected: Young adults of both
sexes but can affect any age group.
NON-SPECIFIC URETHRITIS
(NSU)
Symptoms
and indications: Men: Discomfort
and pain in the urethra, mild pain on urination,
increased frequency of urination and slight or more
profuse discharge. The urethra is red and inflamed.
Symptoms vary from mild to more severe.
Women: There may be few or
no symptoms but, if they do occur, include pain
on urination, frequency of urination and pain in
the pelvic region. Also vaginal discharge, which
may be yellowish and thick, and pain during sexual
intercourse.
Treatment:
Diagnosis requires bacteriological examination of
urethral sample or urine to exclude other causes
of infection, such as Gonorrhoea. Treatment is by
means of antibiotics including tetracycline, doxycycline
or erythromycin, usually for one week, but longer
if infection persists or if complications arise.
Patients should refrain from sexual intercourse
and are usually given a follow-up examination to
ensure that the infection has cleared.
Persons most
commonly affected: Sexually active adults
of both sexes.
VAGINITIS
Symptoms
and indications: Symptoms include vaginal
discharge that may be thick, discoloured (yellow
or greenish) or white and can be foul-smelling.
Also, itching of the skin or burning in the region
of the vulva, reddening, discomfort and pain. The
symptoms may vary in severity, depending upon the
cause of the condition. A person with symptoms of
vaginitis should seek medical advice.
Treatment:
Depends upon the cause, which is established by
means of a physical examination and discussion,
and may involve obtaining a swab so that infective
organisms can be cultured. Treatment for inflammation
without infection may be by means of soothing creams
or anti-inflammatory preparations such as hydrocortisone.
Bacterial infections are treated with appropriate
antibiotics such as doxycycline erythromycin and
metronidazole, which is also used for infections
caused by the parasite Trichomonas. If the cause
is Candida, treatment is by means of miconazole
or clotrimazole. In older, postmenopausal women,
in whom the vaginitis may be atrophic (due to the
thinning of tissues, with or without infection)
the treatment is usually hormone replacement therapy
with oestrogen. The condition can usually be successfully
treated.
Persons most
commonly affected: Females of all age
groups, depending on cause.
Other problems that could cause
Symptoms of abnormal discharge from
the vagina or penis could be: Fibroid
in uterus, Ovarian cyst, Pelvic inflammotory disease,
Reiter's syndrome, Uterine cancer and others.