What is this?

Gonorrhea is a preventable and treatable sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is primarily transmitted through vaginal, oral, or anal sex. It is especially common in people ages 15-24.

Symptoms of Gonorrhea

Many people with gonorrhea do not experience symptoms, especially women. This asymptomatic nature makes regular screening important, especially for those at higher risk of infection.

In Men

●      Urethral Discharge: White, yellow, or green discharge from the penis.

●      Painful Urination: A burning sensation when urinating.

●      Testicular Pain: Pain or swelling in one or both testicles.

●      Throat Infection: Sore throat if infected through oral sex.

In Women

●      Vaginal Discharge: Increased vaginal discharge that is often yellow or green.

●      Painful Urination: A burning sensation when urinating.

●      Pelvic Pain: Pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis.

●      Bleeding: Bleeding between periods or heavier menstrual bleeding.

●      Pain during Sex: Pain during vaginal intercourse.

●      Throat Infection: Sore throat if infected through oral sex.

In Both Men and Women

●      Anal Infection: Itching, discharge, pain, or bleeding from the rectum.

●      Eye Infection: Conjunctivitis (pink eye) if the bacteria come into contact with the eyes.

●      Throat Infection: Sore throat and swollen lymph nodes if infected through oral sex.

How is it transmitted?

Gonorrhea can be transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sex without a condom with an infected person.It can also be spread from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth.

Time for Treatment

●      Symptom Relief: Symptoms often begin to improve within a few days after starting treatment.

●      Full Recovery: Completing the entire antibiotic course is crucial, even if symptoms subside earlier.

●      Re-testing: Follow-up testing is recommended after two weeks to ensure the infection has cleared, especially if symptoms persist or there is a high risk of reinfection.

Important Considerations

1. Sexual Activity: Avoid sexual intercourse until the treatment is complete and a healthcare provider confirms the infection is cleared to prevent spreading gonorrhea to others.
2. Partner Notification and Treatment: Sexual partners should be informed, tested, and treated if necessary to prevent reinfection and further transmission.
3. Testing for Other STIs: It's important to test for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), as co-infections are common.

How to avoid it?

●      Always use a condom for vaginal or anal sex.

●      Use a condom to cover the penis during oral sex.

●      Use a dam (a thin, soft piece of plastic or latex) to cover the female genitals during oral sex or when rubbing female genitals together.

●      Avoid having multiple sexual partners.

●      Antibiotic eye ointment is advised for newborns to prevent gonococcal eye infections.