Painful and frequent urination is a condition characterized by a constant urge to urinate accompanied by a burning sensation during urination. It can affect both men and women. Bacterial infections, including meningococcal disease, are one cause.

Meningococcus typically resides in the nasopharynx and spreads via respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, kisses, or shares eating utensils. The disease has two forms, with the most severe being meningitis and sepsis, which can lead to death within 24 hours. Additionally, the bacteria can cause pneumonia, arthritis, and urethritis.

Meningococcal urethritis is often transmitted through oral or anal sexual contact. Symptoms include painful, burning urination, white or yellow discharge, and a swollen, red urethral opening. These symptoms can be easily mistaken for gonorrhea, necessitating differential testing. Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Dermatology previously recorded a case of a 23-year-old male patient who developed urethritis after oral sex with a same-sex partner, experiencing burning pain and cloudy white discharge. From the urethra, the bacteria can spread deeper, causing epididymitis in men and pelvic inflammatory disease in women.

Painful and frequent urination can be a symptom of meningococcal infection. Illustration: Vecteezy

Therefore, individuals should proactively implement measures to prevent meningococcal disease to protect their health. Among these, vaccination is a proactive and highly effective measure.

Currently, Vietnam has vaccines available to protect against five common meningococcal serogroups, including: three new-generation quadrivalent conjugate vaccines that protect against serogroups A, C, Y, and W, which can be administered as early as six weeks of age; a new-generation vaccine for serogroup B, administered to children from two months old up to adults aged 50; and a vaccine for serogroups B and C, administered to children from six months old up to adults aged 45.

Vaccines do not offer cross-protection between serogroups. Therefore, each person needs to receive both types of vaccines to ensure comprehensive protection against the five serogroups: A, B, C, Y, and W.

In addition, everyone should maintain personal hygiene, gargle regularly with antiseptic solution, ensure good ventilation in living spaces, wear masks in crowded places, wash hands with soap, and limit close contact with individuals suffering from respiratory infections. Simultaneously, avoid staying up late, chronic stress, and maintain fidelity with sexual partners; eat a balanced diet, and exercise regularly to boost health and the immune system.

If symptoms such as high fever, headache, nausea, or a stiff neck occur, seek immediate medical attention for timely examination and treatment. Individuals should also report their health status to local healthcare workers and self-isolate to prevent transmission to family and others.

Doctor Trinh Nhu Luc

Chief physician at VNVC Thanh Hoa Vaccination Center

Readers can submit their vaccine-related questions for the doctor to answer here.