Blennorrhea: Types, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Definition

Blennorrhea is a mucopurulent (mucus and pus) discharge from a mucous membrane, most commonly the urethra or conjunctiva.

Types

1. Urethral Blennorrhea

• Discharge from the urethra.
• Commonly caused by STIs: Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonorrhea), Chlamydia trachomatis.
• Symptoms: dysuria, urethral itching, pain, frequency.

2. Conjunctival Blennorrhea

• Discharge from the conjunctiva (eye).
• Causes: bacterial conjunctivitis (Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Haemophilus), gonococcal, chlamydial.
• Symptoms: redness, swelling, gritty sensation, crusting.

3. Neonatal Blennorrhea (Ophthalmia Neonatorum)

• Conjunctival discharge in newborns (first 28 days).
• Acquired during birth from infected maternal genital tract (N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis).
• Medical emergency—gonococcal infection can cause corneal perforation and blindness.

Treatment

• Targeted antibiotics based on etiology (e.g., ceftriaxone + azithromycin for gonorrhea/chlamydia).
• Topical antibiotics for conjunctivitis.
• Neonates: systemic antibiotics + saline irrigation; prophylaxis (erythromycin ointment) at birth.

Prevention

Safe sex practices, prenatal screening/treatment, newborn eye prophylaxis.