Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea

What is gonorrhea?
Sometimes referred to as the "clap", gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria
gonorrhoeae. Gonococcal infections are one of the main causes of urethritis (inflammation of the urethra), cervicitis
(inflammation of the cervix), and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
The gonorrhea bacteria can be transmitted by sexual penetration (oral, vaginal, rectal). In men the infection usually starts as an
infection of the urethra. In women it usually first infects the cervix. The bacteria also commonly infects the throat and rectum
during oral and anal sex. Gonorrhea infection can be present without symptoms and therefore be unknowingly transmitted.
What are the signs and symptoms of gonorrhea?
Often an infected pereson will have no detectable symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they usually develop within two to five days after exposure to an infected person but may develop any time between 1 to 30 days.
Symptoms For Men:
cloudy, thick discharge from the penis
pain or burning when urinating
frequency of urination
sore throat (from oral sex)
inflamed anus or rectum (from anal intercourse)
How is gonorrhea diagnosed?
A culture or "antigen detection" assay can provide an accurate diagnosis in most cases. It can be performed on men or women
by taking secretions from the suspected sites of infection (cervix, urethra, anus, rectum, and mouth).
How is gonorrhea treated?
Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotic drugs taken orally or by an injection. All partners must be treated. Treatment during the
early stages is usually 100 percent effective. A follow-up culture and examination are necessary because there have been cases
of infection resistant to the usual treatment.
What are the risks if gonorrhea is not treated?
Many people with gonorrhea do not recognize symptoms until complications develop. Left untreated it may cause scarring of
the urethra, damage to the cells lining the fallopian tubes, pelvic inflammatory disease, and sterility.