What is Gonorrhea?

Gonnorrhea, also known as “the clap” or “the drip”, is a common infection that spreads through sexual contact. It is caused by a bacteria called “Neisseria gonorrhoeae”. Anyone who is sexually active can get it and pass it to other individuals. Mothers can also pass the infection to their babies during childbirth.

The infection spreads through sexual fluids including semen and vaginal discharge. People can get gonorrhea from vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and also from sharing uncleaned sex toys.

Many individuals with gonorrhoea do not notice any symptoms. Because of this, it is easy to spread the infection to your partner without knowing. The best way to protect yourself is by getting tested if you are sexually active and by using condoms or dental dams during sexual intercourse.

If you think you might have the infection, it is important to visit a healthcare provider as soon as possible. Gonorrhea is curable with antibiotics, but without treatment it may lead to long-term health issues.

Gonorrhea is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the world. It is second only to chlamydia. Many new cases are found in young people between the ages of 15 and 24.

What are the symptoms of Gonorrhea?

Many individuals with Gonorrhea don’t notice any symptoms, and this is even more common in women. If symptoms do show up, they vary based on your body parts.

Gonorrhoea symptoms in women:

• Abnormal vaginal discharge that may be white or yellow.

• Discomfort or pain while having sex.

• Vaginal bleeding between periods.

• Painful or burning urination.

• Pelvic or lower abdominal discomfort

Gonorrhoea symptoms in men:

• Penis discharge that is white, yellow, or green.

• Pain or swelling in the testicles.

• Severe or burning pain during urination.

Gonorrhoea symptoms for everyone:

• Scratchy or painful throat, sometimes making swallowing hard.

• Anal irritation, soreness, or discharge when pooping

Gonorrhoea symptoms in women

About half of women with gonorrhea may not notice any symptoms. Because of this, it’s possible to spread the infection to sexual partners without knowing. If you are sexually active or think you may have had contact with someone who has the infection, getting tested immediately is very important.

When symptoms do appear, the can include:

• Paint or burning urination.

• Unusual vaginal discharge that is white or yellow.

• Bleeding at times outside of your normal period.

• Discomfort or pain during sex.

Gonorrhea symptoms in Men

Men are more likely than women to notice symptoms of the infection. However, signs may not appear until weeks after exposure, so it's possible to spread the infection to partners without realizing it.

Possible symptoms include:

• Pain or a strong burning sensation when urinating.

• Pain in the testicles or swelling of the testicles.

• Discharge from the penis that may be white, yellow, or green.

Gonorrhea symptoms in both genders

Gonorrhea can also infect the throat through oral sex or the rectrum through anal sex. These infections are less common than gonorrhea in the genitals.

Symptoms may include:

• Throat: itchy or scratchy feeling, soreness, or difficulty swallowing.

• Anus: Itching, unusual discharge, or pain during bowel movements.

When do symptoms of gonorrhea usually appear?

Gonorrhea may not cause symptoms for several weeks after infection. Your body’s immune system might not respond immediately. On average, most people notice symptoms within about two weeks (14 days).

How do people get gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is caused by a bacteria called “Neisseria gonorrhoeae”. You can get infected when the bacteria enter your body through sexual fluids, such as semen or vaginal fluid, often during unprotected sex. The bacteria can enter through the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus. Ejaculation is not necessary for the bacteria to spread.

Gonorrhea can also be transmitted by sharing sex toys that have not been cleaned or covered with a new condom. Anyone who has sex with an infected person can catch gonorrhea, regardless of their sex or gender. Vaginal, anal, and oral sex, as well as close genital-to genital contact without penetration, can all pass the bacteria.

In women, the infection most often affects the cervix. In men, usually it starts in the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body.

How is gonorrhea not spread?

Gonorrhea is a contagious infection that spreads through sexual activity. However, not every form of close contact or exchange of fluids can give you gonorrhea. You cannot catch gonorrhoea from:

• Sharing food, drinks, or utensils

• Kissing, hugging, or holding hands

• Using a toilet after someone else

• Breathing in droplets from someone who coughs or sneezes.

What increases the chances of getting gonorrhea?

Your have a higher chance of getting gonorrhoea if you:

• Have had other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) before

• Are a man who has sex with other man

• Have sex with one or more partners whose gonorrhea status is now or not recently tested

• Are under 25 years old

• Do not use condoms or dental dams every time you have sex.

What are the effects of untreated gonorrhea?

If gonorrhoea is not treated, it can lead to serious health problems. The infection can spread through the body and cause painful, swollen joints, liver inflammation, or damage to the heart valves and brain. Other complications may vary depending on your reproductive organs.

Complications in women

If left untreated, gonorrhea in women can:

• Cause blindness in infants through eye infections passed from an untreated parent.

• Spread to other reproductive organs such as the uterus and fallopian tubes, leading to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can result in infertility or an ectopic pregnancy.

Complications in men

If left untreated, gonorrhoea in men can cause:

• Swelling and inflammation of the testicles 

• Difficulty having children (infertility)

• Scarring in the urethra.

• Pain and inflammation in the prostrate.

What methods are used to detect gonorrhea?

Only a healthcare provider can confirm if you have gonorrhoea. They will start by asking about your symptoms and sexual history. Next, they will collect a sample of urine or bodily fluid to test for the bacteria that causes gonorrhea.

Depending on your situation, your provider may:

• Collect a urine sample

• Take fluid from the penis for testing

• Swab your throat or rectrum to get a sample

• Perform a pelvic exam and take fluid from the cervix for testing

Your provider will explain which type of test is most suitable and what kind of sample is needed. They may also test you for Chlamydia, since these infections often occur together. 

What is the treatment for gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics, and it's important that your sexual partner (s) receive treatment as well.

The usual treatment is a single injection of ceftriaxone. Your healthcare provider will decide the correct dose based on your weight. If you are allergic to ceftriaxone, your provider may give a shot of gentamicin along with oral azithromycin.

Sometimes, your provider may also prescribe additional antibiotics, such as doxycycline, if you have co-infection with chlamydia. Make sure to follow your provider’s instructions carefully about what medications to take and when.

It’s important to understand what treatment can and cannot do:

• Treatment does not prevent future gonorrhea infections.

• Antibiotics cannot repair any damage caused by the infection before treatment.

To avoid getting the infection again, use condoms or dental dams after treatment.

How quickly does gonorrhea treatment work?

Gonorrhea usually goes away within seven to fourteen days after taking antibiotics. Some healthcare providers recommend a follow-up test to ensure the infection is completely cleared. You should avoid sexual activity during the first seven days of treatment to prevent spreading the infection to others. 

Is gonorrhea treatable?

Yes, gonorrhoea is treatable if treated promptly. It is very important to take all your prescribed medication exactly as your healthcare provider instructs, even if you start feeling better before finishing the course. Never use someone else’s medicine to treat your infection.

Following the full course of antibiotics is always important, and it is especially critical for gonorrhoea. While gonorrhoea is still treatable, some strains are becoming resistant to antibiotics. Highly resistant strains are called “super gonorrhea"

To keep gonorrhoea treatable for everyone, it is essential that people take the medications correctly and continue taking steps to prevent new infections.

What happens after someone gets gonorrhea?

People who receive prompt treatment for gonorrhea and follow their healthcare provider’s instructions can usually return to their normal lives within one to two weeks. If left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to serious long-term health problems.

It is possible to get gonorrhea more than once, so it is important to take steps to prevent catching it again and avoid spreading it to others. Talk to your healthcare provider about regular STI testing. You should also practice safe sex by using condoms every time and being honest with your partners about your sexual history. 

How does gonorrhea affect pregnancy?

If you are pregnant, it is important to speak with your healthcare provider. Gonorrhea can be passed to your baby during childbirth, potentially causing serious health problems. Babies born to parents with untreated gonorrhea may face complications such as low birth weight or eye infections that can lead to blindness.

How do I protect myself from gonorrhea?

The only way to fully avoid gonorrhea is to not have sex. For most people, a more realistic goal is to reduce the chance of catching or passing on gonorrhea. You can do this by:

• Not having sex with anyone showing symptoms of gonorrhea.

• Limiting the number of sexual partners and being open about sexual history

• Getting tested for gonorrhoea and encouraging your partners to get tested as well

• Using a condom or dental dam every time you have sex.

• Avoiding sexual activity with someone who currently has gonorrhea.

There is no way to prevent gonorrhea with absolute certainty.condoms can sometimes break, but taking these steps can reduce your risk significantly.

When is it safe to have sex after gonorrhea treatment?

Your doctor will tell you when it is safe to be sexually active again. In most cases, you should wait at least seven days after you and your partner (s) have completed all your prescribed antibiotics before having sex.

What can I do to look after my health?

If you are sexually active and more likely to be exposed to gonorrhea, it is a good idea to get tested for STIs regularly. Many sexually transmitted infections, including gonorrhea, may not show any symptoms, so you might be infected without realising it and could unknowingly pass it to other individuals. Regular testing and quick treatment can help prevent serious health problems caused by untreated gonorrhea.