On 3/2, Doctor Le Vu Tan of Binh Dan Hospital reported that a patient presented with typical symptoms of acute urethritis, expressing anxiety. The 24-year-old office worker recounted that after a company year-end party, he and some friends went for a "second round" of relaxation at a massage establishment. Having consumed alcohol and believing non-penetrative sexual contact was safe, he engaged in oral sex services.
Just three days later, he noticed thick yellow pus discharge from his urethral opening, accompanied by a sharp, stinging pain each time he urinated. "I thought non-penetrative sex was safe, who knew the consequences would come so quickly," the patient shared with the doctor. Lab results confirmed a positive diagnosis for Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
According to Doctor Tan, after each year-end party season and holidays, the number of men seeking treatment for acute urethritis due to gonorrhea and other sexually transmitted infections often surges. Patients frequently question how they could contract the disease despite using condoms, or if only engaging in oral sex.
A common mistake is using condoms only for penetrative sex while overlooking other forms of mucosal contact. In reality, gonorrhea and other sexually transmitted pathogens like chlamydia, mycoplasma, or human papillomavirus can be highly concentrated in the pharyngeal region. During oral sex, bacteria from a partner's oral cavity can easily enter the male urethra, leading to acute infection.
Gonorrhea in men has a short incubation period, ranging from 2 to 7 days. Typical signs include urethral discharge, painful urination, burning in the urethra, and occasionally blood in the urine. If not treated according to the correct regimen, the bacteria can lead to complications such as prostatitis, epididymitis-orchitis, increasing the risk of infertility and subfertility.
For enjoyable year-end celebrations, experts advise men to be cautious with alcohol and avoid complacency regarding any sexual activity. If suspicious symptoms appear, patients should seek testing and early treatment at a specialized medical facility. Self-medication should be avoided, as it can prolong the illness and increase the risk of drug resistance.
Le Phuong
