Gonorrhea

Definition

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is a common disease that primarily affects the reproductive tract, but can also infect the mouth, throat, and anus.

Cause

Gonorrhea is transmitted through sexual activity including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. It can be passed from one person to another through contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus of an infected partner. It can also be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her baby during childbirth.

Symptoms

Some individuals with gonorrhea may not exhibit any symptoms, making the disease difficult to diagnose without proper testing. When symptoms do occur, they typically appear within 2 to 14 days after exposure. Common symptoms include:

• Abnormal discharge from the genitals
• Burning or pain during urination
• Increased frequency of urination
• Swelling or redness at the opening of the penis or vagina
• Pain or tenderness in the lower abdomen

Complications

If left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to severe health problems and complications, such as:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in females
• Infertility in both males and females
• Increased risk of contracting HIV
• Joint infections
• Eye infections (if the eyes are exposed to infected genital fluids during childbirth)

Treatment

Gonorrhea can be treated with antibiotics. However, drug-resistant strains of the bacteria have emerged, making treatment more challenging. It is important to complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed by a healthcare professional to ensure complete eradication of the infection and prevent reinfection.

Prevention

The best way to prevent gonorrhea is to practice safe sexual behaviors, such as:

• Using condoms consistently and correctly during sexual intercourse
• Getting tested regularly for sexually transmitted infections
• Limiting the number of sexual partners
• Being in a mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected