236 Where There Is No Doctor 2011
Treatment for an enlarged prostate:
♦ If the person cannot urinate, he should try
sitting in a tub of hot water, like this:
If this does not work, a catheter may be
needed (p. 239).
♦ If he has a fever, use an antibiotic such as
ampicillin (p. 352) or tetracycline (p. 355).
♦ Get medical help. Serious or chronic cases
may require surgery.
Note: Both prostate trouble and gonorrhea (or chlamydia) can also make it hard to pass
urine. In older men it is more likely to be an enlarged prostate. However, a younger
man—especially one who has recently had sex with a person with gonorrhea or
chlamydia—probably has gonorrhea or chlamydia.
infections SPREAD BY SEX
(SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED infections)
On the following pages, we discuss some common infections spread by sexual
contact (STIs): gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and bubos. For information on HIV and
AIDS and some sexually transmitted infections that cause sores on the genitals (genital
herpes, genital warts, and chancroid) see Additional Information, p. 399 to 403.
Gonorrhea (clap, VD, the drip) and Chlamydia
Both men and women can have gonorrhea or chlamydia without any signs.
Gonorrhea and chlamydia can have the same signs, though gonorrhea usually starts
sooner and is more painful. Both men and women can have gonorrhea and chlamydia
at the same time so it is best to treat for both. If not treated, either gonorrhea or
chlamydia can make a man or a woman sterile (unable to have a baby).
If a pregnant woman with gonorrhea or chlamydia is not treated before giving birth,
the infection may get in the baby’s eyes and make him blind (see p. 221).
Signs in the man:
• Drops of pus from the penis
• Sometimes there is painful
swelling of the testicles
Signs in the woman:
• Yellow or green discharge
from the vagina or anus
• Pain in the lower belly (pelvic
inflammatory disease, p. 243)
• Fever
• Pain during sex
Signs in both the man and
the woman:
• Pain or burning during
urination (peeing)
• Rash or sores all over the body
• Painful swelling in one or both
knees, ankles, or wrists