How long should individuals abstain from sexual activity after completing treatment for nongonococcal urethritis?

Individuals should abstain from sexual activity for 7 days after completing treatment for nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) to ensure the infection is fully cleared and to avoid the risk of transmission to sexual partners. This time frame allows for the potential symptoms to resolve and ensures that the treatment has effectively eradicated the infection.

In the context of NGU, the causative organisms, primarily Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma genitalium, may take several days for their presence and associated inflammation to subside after treatment. Advising a waiting period helps promote safe sexual practices and protects partners from reinfection or new infections. It also aligns with public health recommendations aimed at controlling the spread of sexually transmitted infections.