Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The bacteria can be passed from one person to other through vaginal, oral, or anal sex, even when the person who is infected has no symptoms. You can not catch Gonorrhea from a towel, a doorknob, or a toilet seat.
Some men with gonorrhea may have no symptoms at all. However, some men have signs or symptoms that appear two to five days after infection; In women, the symptoms of gonorrhea are often mild, but most women who are infected have no symptoms.
Symptoms of genital Gonorrhea differ from men and women. The cervix is primarily affected in women diagnosed with Gonorrhea. However, untreated Gonorrhea can spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes.
Unfortunately, the symptoms of, women they may include:
Abnormal bleeding
A burning sensation during urination
Vaginal discharge
General irritation of the outer area of the vagina.
Symptoms of gonorrhea are present in men they can include:
A yellow pus-like discharge from the tip of the penis
Stinging during urination
Frequent urination
Blood in the urine
Swelling of the glands in the groin
The head of the penis may turn red.
Symptoms of gonorrhea in pregnant women.
Pregnant woman with untreated gonorrhea may be at risk for miscarriage, preterm delivery, or having her water break too early. If a pregnant woman has gonorrhea, she may give the infection to her baby as the baby passes through the birth canal during delivery. This can cause blindness, joint infection, or a life-threatening blood infection in the baby. Treating the newborn’s eyes with an antibiotic immediately after delivery can prevent serious eye infections. Treatment of gonorrhea as soon as it is found in pregnant women will reduce the risk of these health problems. All sex partners of pregnant women must also be treated for gonorrhea. Pregnant women should talk with their doctors for testing and treatments that are safe for them.
If untreated, Gonorrhea can be a potentially hazardous disease. Women infected with Gonorrhea risk of developing a variety of complications. The bacteria can easily travel from the cervix into the uterus, and eventually up the fallopian tubes. This can cause a condition called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).15% of women who have the infection in their cervix will develop this disease. PID can damage your fallopian tubes and may lead to infertility. It can also increase your chance of having an ectopic pregnancy. This occurs when a fertilized egg grows outside of the uterus, usually inside of the fallopian tubes. Ectopic pregnancies are extremely dangerous and potentially life threatening.
Men who have their Gonorrhea untreated are also at risk for developing epididymitis, a painful condition of the testicles which can ultimately lead to infertility.
If you display any of the symptoms of Gonorrhea, or think you may have been exposed, it is important to get tested for the infection as soon as possible. People infected with Gonorrhea are more likely to contract Chlamydia or HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
Past infection does not make a person immune to gonorrhea. Previous infections with gonorrhea may allow complications to occur more rapidly.
Gonorrhea stays in your body if it is not treated. You may have a higher risk of getting HIV infection if you have unprotected sex with a partner living with HIV. Gonorrhea can also spread to the blood or joints. This condition can be very serious.
Gonorrhea is spread through contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus. Ejaculation does not have to occur for gonorrhea to be transmitted or acquired. People who have had gonorrhea and received treatment may get infected again if they have sexual contact with a person infected with gonorrhea.
Practice safe sex
Preventing a sexually transmitted disease (STD) is easier than treating an infection after it occurs.
Talk with your partner about STDs before beginning a sexual relationship. Find out whether he or she is at risk for an STD. Remember that it is quite possible to be infected with an STD without knowing it. Some STDs, such as HIV, can take up to 6 months before they can be detected in the blood.
Be responsible
Avoid sexual contact if you have symptoms of an STD or are being treated for an STD.
Avoid sexual contact with anyone who has symptoms of a STD or who may have been exposed to an STD.
Don’t have more than one sexual relationship at a time. Your risk for an STD increases if you have several sex partners at the same time.
If you or your partners have had several sex partners with in the past year, or you are a man who has unprotected sex with men, talk to your health professional about screening for Gonorrhea and other STDs even if you don’t have symptoms.
Condom use
Condom use can reduce the risk of becoming infected with an STD, especially Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and HIV. Condoms must be in place before beginning any sexual contact. Use condoms with a new partner every time you have sex, until you know form test results that he or she does not have an STD. You can use either male or female condoms.
A high proportion of men and women who have Gonorrhea also have Chlamydia, the goal of treatment is to cure both infections. Your partner (s) should be treated at the same time you are.
Treatment for uncomplicated Gonorrhea consist of antibiotics, including ceftriaxone, cefixime, ciprofloxacin, or ofloxacin for gonorrhea along with azithromycin, doxycycline, or erythromycin for chlamydia.
Always see a doctor if your partner is being treated for gonorrhea. Also see the doctor if you or your sex partner notice any symptoms, such as an unusual discharge.
If you have gonorrhea, you should be tested for other STDs. Be sure to tell your recent sex partners, so they can get tested too. Talk openly and honestly with your partner about gonorrhea and other STDs.
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