Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a bacterium called a gonococcus-neisseria gonorrhea. It is also called Dose, Clap, and Drip. You can get it from direct contact of the mucous membrane (urethra, cervix, anus, throat, or eyes) with someone who had gonorrhea. The incubation period is 3-5 days after exposure to someone who has gonorrhea, but symptoms may appear anywhere from 1-30 days after contact, or there may be no symptoms.
Symptoms in Women
- Eight out of ten women with gonorrhea do not have symptoms until pelvic inflammatory disease occurs. Symptoms of PID are abdominal pain, abnormal vaginal discharge or bleeding and fever
- Discharge- white or yellow from genitals or anus
- Genital irritation
- Occasional burning or pain with urination or bowel movement
- Fever
- Throat infections caused by gonorrhea are usually without symptoms
Symptoms in Men
- May have no symptoms
- White or yellow penile discharge or “drip”
- Burning or pain with urination or bowel movement
- Fever
- Throat infections caused by gonorrhea are usually without symptoms
Symptoms in Newborns
- Discharge from eyes
The Dangers
In both men & women there are a few dangers: severe infection with possible damage to the reproductive organs, infertility, arthritis spread to partners and skin disease. In women, there is the danger of pelvic inflammatory disease or of passing Gonorrhea to a newborn.
How is gonorrhea diagnosed?
Gonorrhea is curable. The drugs used are usually Ampicillin and Probenecid. If you are allergic to those drugs, others can be used. You need to stop having sex until the test of cure is done 1 week after the end of treatment. Your partner(s) must be treated also.
How can I prevent getting a gonorrhea infection?
The best way is to talk to your partner about sexually transmitted diseases (STD) before you have sex. Having a new partner, or changing partners can increase your STD risk. Using condoms can provide protection. If your partner has a rash, sores, discharges, or burning on urination, abstain from close contact or sex, and get checked for infection. You can have an STD without symptoms.
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