Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that affects over 700,000 newindividuals each year. The current number of cases is unknown.
What are the symptoms of gonorrhea?
It is common for individuals infected with gonorrhea to not haveany symptoms. Females may experience a vaginal discharge and/or havepelvic or abdominal pain. Males usually experience pain while urinating,and they may have a discharge from the penis.
Can having gonorrhea lead to other problems?
Gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease(PID) in females. PID involves a severe infection of the uterus,fallopian tubes, and ovaries which may lead to infertility, tubalpregnancies, and chronic pelvic pain. It is also easier to transmitor get infected with HIV if you are infected with gonorrhea.
How is gonorrhea transmitted?
Gonorrhea is transmitted by contact with infected secretions duringsexual activity which includes vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse.
How is gonorrhea diagnosed?
Gonorrhea may be diagnosed by your healthcare provider using a labtest to assess the secretions from the infected area which may includethe cervix, urethra, anus, or throat. The lab may also test your urine.
What is the treatment for gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea may be treated and cured with antibiotics administeredorally or through an injection.
Can gonorrhea be prevented?
There are only two 100% effective ways to prevent gonorrhea. Thefirst is to refrain from sexual contact of any kind. The second isto be in a long-term monogamous relationship such as marriage.
The use of condoms does reduce the risk of transmission of gonorrhea,but it does not prevent it. According to a study presented at the2002 National STD Prevention Conference, there is a 50% risk reductionby using condoms.
Last Updated: 01/2013
Compiled using information from the following sources:
1 Summary findings of NIH report,“Scientific Evidence on Condom Effectiveness for Sexually TransmittedDisease Prevention,” in Sex, Condoms and STDs: What We Now Know publishedby the Medical Institute for Sexual Health.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov
Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Women. Faro, Sebastian, Ch. 1.
