Gonorrhea Information - Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that spreads through contact with the penis, vagina, mouth or anus. It is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This bacterium survives in warm, moist areas such as the cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes of women and the urinary canal of men and women, and also in the mouth, throat, eyes and anus.

The spread of gonorrhea

According to one estimate, several hundred thousand men and women are infected every year in the U.S. alone. Gonorrhea spreads through physical contact in areas such as the mouth, vagina, penis, and anus. Getting treated (and cured) does not prevent a person from getting infected again.

Gonorrhea is most common among sexually active groups, with the highest rates being among sexually active teenagers and young adults.

Symptoms of Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea can be misleading when it comes to symptoms, because there can be an absence of symptoms or the symptoms may be of a very general nature. In men, gonorrhea symptoms generally appear after a period of two to five days, although in some cases it may take as long as a month to show up. The symptoms include a burning sensation while urinating, white, yellow or green colored discharge from the penis, and sometimes swelling or pain in the testicles.

The symptoms are milder in women and may include burning sensation while urinating, vaginal bleeding and discharge between periods. While these are general symptoms of vaginal infection, and therefore do not confirm the presence of gonorrhea, many women do not have even these symptoms.

Rectal infection (in both men and women) shows up as discharge and itching of the anus, and painful bowel movements.

Symptom or no symptom, the infection can lead to serious complications.

Complications

Gonorrhea can lead to serious complications in both men and women. Gonorrhea can lead to infection of the uterus and fallopian tubes and cause serious damage to them. This could result in infertility, formation of abscess, chronic pain in the pelvic region, and ectopic pregnancy – a life threatening condition, in which pregnancy occurs outside the womb. In men, gonorrhea can cause pain in the testicles and permanent loss of fertility. Gonorrhea also makes the infected persons more prone to HIV infection.

The condition can be particularly worrying in women as they can transmit the disease to the unborn child, causing blindness, joint infection or life threatening blood infections. This can be avoided by proper treatment of the pregnant woman before delivery takes place.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea can be easily diagnosed in a laboratory from samples collected from parts that are prone to infection. Simple tests at the doctors’ office can sometimes establish the presence of the disease.

Antibiotics are successfully used in the treatment of gonorrhea. Some strains of gonorrhea, however, are resistant to drugs, making treatment more difficult. Treatment of gonorrhea will only ensure elimination of the infection but not reverse the damage, if any, that has already been done.

Prevention

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease, which means it spreads through sexual contact. It is obvious that avoiding sexual relationship with many unknown persons is a sure shot way to avoid getting infected by gonorrhea. The next best thing is to use latex condoms. Infected persons should inform sexual partners, so that they can get themselves checked. It might be a very good idea to avoid sex with these persons till all are cleared or cured of the disease. Otherwise, there is a possibility of the disease getting circulated back to those who have already taken treatment, thus setting up a vicious cycle. 

Finally

Gonorrhea is curable, and more importantly, is preventable. It is important to get yourself checked and, if necessary, treated early, in case you suspect an infection or observe the symptoms. Pregnant women have to be particularly careful.