HEALTH EDUCATION

Gonorrhea

What it is
Gonorrhea is a common infection caused by bacteria that grows in the cervix (opening to the womb), uterus (womb), and fallopian tubes (egg canals) in women, and in the urethra (urine canal) in women and men. The bacterium can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes, and anus.
The majority of people who are infected with gonorrhea have no symptoms at all., which means you can spread it without knowing you have it.

If there are symptoms, they usually appear two to five days after infection and can include:

In women:

• abdominal pain

• bleeding between menstrual cycles

• fever

• menstrual irregularities

• painful intercourse

• painful urination

• swelling or tenderness of the vulva

• the urge to urinate more than usual

• vomiting

• yellowish or yellow-green vaginal discharge

In men:

• Burning when urinating

• Discharge from the penis

• Painful or swollen testicles

In both women and men, symptoms, if any, of rectal infection can include discharge, itching, and soreness. Infection in the throat may cause sore throat but there are usually no symptoms.

How it’s spread
Gonorrhea is spread through oral, vaginal, or anal sexual contact with an infected person.

It can also be transmitted from mother to fetus during birth.

How it’s treated
A lab test can determine if you have gonorrhea. It is easily treated with medication.

How it’s prevented
The best way to avoid transmission of gonorrhea is to abstain from sex or to be in a monogamous relationship with a partner who you KNOW is not infected.

Correct and consistent use of latex condoms can reduce the risk of transmission of gonorrhea.

If you’re being treated for gonorrhea, avoid having sex until you’ve completed treatment and take all of the prescribed medication even after symptoms are gone.

If you’re diagnosed with gonorrhea, notify your recent sex partners so they can get treatment.

What it does
In women, untreated gonorrhea can cause PID (pelvic inflammatory disease), which can lead to internal abscesses, chronic pelvic pain, and increased risk of infertility and ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus).

Men can suffer from epididymitis, a testicular condition that can cause pain and infertility.

In both men and women, gonorrhea can spread to the blood or joints, and increase the risk of HIV infection.

Gonorrhea can be passed from mother to fetus during birth. These infections can lead to blood, joint, and eye infections.

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