A 25-year-old male presents with painful urination and a clear discharge from his penis that started 5 days ago. What might be the cause, and what are the next steps?
The symptoms of painful urination and clear discharge in this young man are suggestive of gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. However, chlamydia could present similarly. He should be tested for both gonorrhea and chlamydia, typically via a urethral swab or urine test. If positive, he should be treated with antibiotics and advised to inform any sexual partners so they can be tested and treated if necessary.