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Urology (Expert Forum)
Discolored semen, fever, chills, penis discomfort at 17
Questions in the Urology forum are answered by Dr. Stephen Liroff, affiliated with the Henry Ford Hospital. Topics covered include benign prostate disease, penis curvature, cystisis, kidney stones, pediatric urology, prostate, sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infections (UTI), and urological cancers.
Discolored semen, fever, chills, penis discomfort at 17
by Nu__0, Aug 26, 1998 12:00AM
Recently I have been affected by sudden fever and chills that I thought was the flu, however about a week and a half later I have gotten a discomfort in my penis, a frequent need to urinate, and what has really scared me discolred semen, sort of yellow. I have been looking on the internet and see it's related to urine infections, prostae infection, etc. I'm only 17 years old and never had any sexual encounters, with anyone. I am debating wether to visit the doctor or just drink alot of water and try to flush it out. Hope you can help.
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Dear Nu,
The penis itself has lubricants to keep the urine channel moist. The fluid that is secreted from the small glands that line the urethra (glands of Littre) are active at all times. These glands often secrete a clear fluid like you mention but unlike semen, it doesn’t contain sperm. This fluid is usually less viscous when there have been frequently ejaculation and more viscous when there have been less frequent ejaculation. The color sounds similar to a urethral discharge but you state that you have had no sexual encounters. Without sexual contact, there is little chance of you having an STD.
On the other hand, a discharge could be the sign of a sexually transmitted disease(Chlamydia) and a yellowish discharge could be significant for gonorrhea. This discharge could be mixed in with your ejaculate but you would also see it at other times. An infection or STD can often go unrecognized in the male. The only way to diagnose it is through a culture. I wouldn’t recommend running out to get a culture, unless you had a suspicion or a number of risk factors. I realize you described yellow semen and not a discharge , I want to make sure you know the difference. I’m merely providing you with this information In case there is more history that was not provided.
Another type of infection that can produce a discharge or different colored semen is a prostatitis. This is an infection of the prostate gland that often has multiple uncomfortable symptoms associated with it. You would know if you had prostatitis (burning with urination, perineal pain, fever and even back pain). Most young adults your age do not have this condition.
Kidney stones when passing can also cause frequency, urgency, penile pain. Your discolored semen may not be related. You may have a urinary tract infection.
I think that you should see your family doctor and he or she can refer you to a urologist if it is necessary.
This information is provided for general medical educational purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition. More individualized care is available at the Henry Ford Hospital and its satellites (1 800 653-6568).
Sincerely,
HFHS M.D.-AK
*keyword: Semen, penile pain, irritative voiding symptoms
