[Male urethritis].

The incidence of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) is decreasing, but often take on a more subacute form, which may be difficult to detect. Acute gonococcal urethritis, diagnosed by direct examination and culture (with antibiotic susceptibility testing) requires immediate single-dose treatment. Chlamydia trachomatis urethritis is frequent and insidious and may cause a wide range of complications (serological diagnosis with raised IgG). It is sensitive to tetracyclines (for 15 days). Other forms of urethritis are due to Mycoplasmas, Trichomonas and Herpes. The presence of urethritis is a good indicator of high-risk sexual behaviour and warrants proposal of HIV screening.