| |
Sexual Health Centre
Infections and Safer Sex |
Gonorrhea
What is it?
Gonorrhea is caused by the bacteria,
Neisseria gonorrhea. It can infect the genital tract, throat or rectum and
is spread by having unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex with an infected
person. If a pregnant woman is infected, her baby can get a serious eye
infection. An infected person can pass on the disease for years until they
are properly treated. This infection is rarely, if ever, passed from one
woman to another during sex. It is also called GC or Clap.
What are the
symptoms?
Many women don't have symptoms.
Some possible symptoms if you do have them are:
- increased vaginal discharge
- frequent or painful urination
- unusual odour
- bleeding
- lower abdominal pain
- sore throat
- rectal discharge
Men are more likely to have symptoms
which can occur 2 days to 6 weeks after infection. Men may have painful
frequent urination and yellowish-white discharge.
How is it
diagnosed?
A swab of the infected area can
be tested in the laboratory.
Are there
any complications?
Untreated gonorrhea can cause
a serious infection of the uterus and fallopian tubes called pelvic
inflammatory disease (PID). This can lead to scarring of the Fallopian
tubes and result in infertility and an increased risk of ectopic
pregnancy. In the eye, gonorrhea can cause a serious infection. Pneumonia
and eye infections are particularly a risk for newborns. Rarely gonorrhea
can cause serious arthritis or meningitis.
How is it
treated?
Gonorrhea can be treated with
a single dose of antibiotic, often cefixime, but it is becoming more resistant
to antibiotics. It is important to take the treatment correctly and to have
follow-up testing one to two weeks after treatment. Don't have sex while
you are taking the drugs. Use a condom in future to prevent infection.
Should my
partner be checked or treated?
Yes, all of your sexual partners
from the last three months should be tested and treated. Positive tests
for gonorrhea must be reported to Public Health, so a Public Health nurse
may contact you to ensure that you and your partners have been treated
for
this infection. If it has been more than three months since you had sex,
your last partner should be tested. Gonorrhea can also cause complications
for men including sterility, arthritis, eye infections and epididymitis
(swelling and pain in the testicles). A public health nurse can
help you notify your partner(s) if you wish, and will keep your name confidential.
Do not have unprotected sex with an untreated partner because you can be
re-infected.
How can I
protect myself from gonorrhea?
The best protection from gonorrhea
is avoiding intercourse or using a condom
for vaginal or anal sex. Gonorrhea can be transmitted through oral sex so
you may also want to protect yourself with condoms during oral sex.
Back
to index
|
 |
