Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea, also spelled gonorrhoea, is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Many people have no symptoms. Men may have burning with urination, discharge from the penis, or testicular pain.Women may have burning with urination, vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding between periods, or pelvic pain. Complications in women include pelvic inflammatory disease and in men include inflammation of the epididymis. If untreated, gonorrhea can spread to joints or heart valves.
Gonorrhea is another common bacterial STD. People often get it with chlamydia, and the symptoms are similar: unusual discharge from the vagina or penis, or pain or burning when you pee. Most men with gonorrhea get symptoms, but only about 20% of women do.
Gonorrhea is easily treated with antibiotics.Symptoms
Symptoms in women
In women, symptoms of gonorrhoea can include:- an unusual vaginal discharge, which may be thin or watery and green or yellow in colour
- pain or a burning sensation when passing urine
- pain or tenderness in the lower abdominal area – this is less common
- bleeding between periods, heavier periods and bleeding after sex – this is less common
Symptoms in men
In men, symptoms of gonorrhoea can include:- an unusual discharge from the tip of the penis, which may be white, yellow or green
- pain or a burning sensation when urinating
- inflammation (swelling) of the foreskin
- pain or tenderness in the testicles – this is rare
Infection in the rectum, throat or eyes
Both men and women can develop an infection in the rectum, throat or eyes by having unprotected anal or oral sex.If infected semen or vaginal fluid comes into contact with the eyes, you can also develop conjunctivitis.
Infection in the rectum can cause discomfort, pain or discharge. Infection in the eyes can cause irritation, pain, swelling and discharge, and infection in the throat usually causes no symptoms.
Testing for gonorrhoea
There are a number of different ways to test for gonorrhoea. In many cases, a swab will be used to remove a sample for testing, although men may only be asked to provide a urine sample.A swab looks a bit like a cotton bud, but it's smaller and rounded. It's wiped over parts of the body that may be infected to pick up samples of discharge. This only takes a few seconds and is not painful, although it may be a little uncomfortable.
Testing women
For women, a doctor or nurse will usually take a swab to collect a sample from the vagina or cervix (entrance to the womb) during an internal examination. In some cases, a sample may also be taken from the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body).Sometimes, you may be asked to use a swab or tampon to collect a sample from inside your vagina yourself.
Women are not usually asked to provide a urine sample to check for gonorrhoea because this is a less-accurate test for women.
Testing men
Men will normally be asked to provide a urine sample or a swab may be used to pick up a sample of discharge from the end of the penis.If you're asked to provide a urine sample, it's important not to urinate for about 2 hours beforehand because this can wash the bacteria away and affect the results of the test.
Infections of the rectum, throat and eyes
If there's a possibility that your rectum or throat is infected, the doctor or nurse may need to use a swab to collect a sample from these areas.If you have symptoms of conjunctivitis, such as red, inflamed eyes with discharge, a sample of the discharge may be collected from your eye.
Treatment
Gonorrhea treatment in adults
Adults with gonorrhea are treated with antibiotics. Due to emerging strains of drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that uncomplicated gonorrhea be treated only with the antibiotic ceftriaxone — given as an injection — in combination with either azithromycin (Zithromax, Zmax) or doxycycline (Monodox, Vibramycin, others) — two antibiotics that are taken orally.Some research indicates that oral gemifloxacin (Factive) or injectable gentamicin, combined with oral azithromycin, is highly successful in treating gonorrhea.
This treatment may be helpful in treating people who are allergic to cephalosporin antibiotics, such as ceftriaxone.
Gonorrhea treatment for partners
Your partner also should undergo testing and treatment for gonorrhea, even if he or she has no signs or symptoms. Your partner receives the same treatment you do.Even if you've been treated for gonorrhea, you can be reinfected if your partner isn't treated.
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