Gonorrhea

What is Gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea ("The Clap") is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It affects the urethra, rectum, or throat.

It is common for people to have no symptoms, meaning you can be infected and spread it without knowing.

Symptoms

Symptoms usually appear within 2 to 14 days after exposure, but many people remain asymptomatic carriers.

In Men

• Painful Urination: A burning sensation when peeing.
• Discharge: White, yellow, or green pus-like discharge from the penis.
• Testicular Pain: Swelling or pain in one testicle.

In Women

• Increased Discharge: Watery, creamy, or slightly green vaginal discharge.
• Bleeding: Vaginal bleeding between periods or after sex.
• Pain: Pelvic or abdominal pain.
• Painful Urination: Often mistaken for a bladder infection.

Other Body Parts

• Rectum: Anal itching, discharge, or bleeding.
• Throat: Sore throat and swollen lymph nodes.
• Eyes: Pain, sensitivity to light, and pus-like discharge (often in newborns).
• Joints: If the bacteria spreads to the blood (Septic Arthritis), joints become warm, red, and swollen.

Complications

⚠️ INFERTILITY RISK
Untreated Gonorrhea is a leading cause of preventable infertility.

• Women: Can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which scars fallopian tubes and leads to ectopic pregnancies.
• Men: Can cause Epididymitis, a painful condition in the tubes attached to the testicles, leading to sterility.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is simple and quick:

• Urine Test: Detects bacteria in the urethra.
• Swab Test: A swab of the throat, rectum, or cervix is sent to a lab.

Note: Doctors often test for Chlamydia at the same time, as the two infections frequently occur together.

Treatment

Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics, but drug-resistant strains ("Super Gonorrhea") are becoming a problem.

1. Dual Therapy (The Standard)

To ensure the infection is killed completely and prevent resistance, the CDC recommends receiving two types of antibiotics at once:

• Ceftriaxone (Rocephin): Given as a single injection.
• Azithromycin (Zithromax) or Doxycycline: Taken orally.

2. Partner Treatment

Your partner must be treated, even if they have no symptoms. Otherwise, you will pass the infection back and forth ("Ping-Pong Effect"). Avoid sexual contact for 7 days after treatment.

3. Babies

Babies born to infected mothers can develop severe eye infections leading to blindness. They are routinely given antibiotic eye ointment soon after birth to prevent this.

Disclaimer: The content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician regarding any medical condition.