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Urethritis - male - Management
Laboratory tests
- Confirm which testing methods are used locally as there are a variety of laboratory tests available.
- Many laboratories now use nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) for chlamydia; some laboratories use a dual NAAT which also tests for gonorrhoea.
- First-void urine sample
- If sending a first-void urine sample, follow the manufacturers instructions on the collecting kit.
- Usually, urine should be collected at least 1 hour after the previous void but preferably after 2 hours.
- Urethral swab
- Insert the swab 1–2 cm inside the urethra and rotate it once before removal. If discharge is present this can be sampled directly.
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae cultures need a charcoal-based transport medium.
- Send the swabs to the laboratory as soon as possible (within a maximum of 24 hours) and refrigerate while awaiting transportation.
- Screening for HIV
- Screening for HIV should be carried out by a trained healthcare professional, who can offer pre-test counselling, advice, and appropriate follow up.
- The primary purpose of a pre-test discussion is to establish informed consent for HIV testing (lengthy pre-test HIV counselling is not a requirement), explain the benefits of testing, and provide details on how the results will be given.
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