Syndromic management of sexually transmitted diseases. Part 2--The management of genital discharge.

In men urethral discharge is commonly caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis. Both organisms cause an acute anterior urethritis and infected men usually present with symptoms of urethritis. A proportion of men with urethral infection may remain asymptomatic. Amongst women the common cause of vaginal discharge is vaginitis caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, Candida albicans and anaerobic bacterial infection (bacterial vaginosis). However, cervicitis caused by N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis also causes vaginal discharge. Cervicitis is the more serious cause of vaginal discharge as the aetiologic agents may lead to infection ascending above the internal os of the cervix resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease and other complications.