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Urethral discharge culture - Risks

Alternative Names

Culture of urethral discharge; Genital exudate culture; Culture - genital discharge or exudate

What the risks are:

Fainting (caused by stimulation of the vagal nerve) occasionally occurs when the swab is introduced into the urethra. Other risks include infection or bleeding.

Special considerations:

A comparable test for women and girls is an endocervical culture.

  • Reviewed last on: 9/8/2009
  • Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Workowski KA, Berman SM. Diseases characterized by urethritis and cervicitis. Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines 2006. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2006 Aug 4;55(RR-11):35-49.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Update to CDC's sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2006: fluoroquinolones no longer recommended for treatment of gonococcal infections. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2007 Apr 13;56(14):332-6.

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