Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a bacterial sexually transmitted disease (STD).

Gonorrhea can cause pain in the lower abdomen for females. For males, it can also cause pain in the penis and liquid discharge from the penis.

It can be treated with antibiotics.

Transmission/How it is Spread:

Spread through anal, oral, or vaginal sex.
Can be passed from mother to child during a vaginal birth.

Complications:

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).
Ectopic pregnancy, infertility, and chronic pain.
May result in arthritis.
Increases risk of getting HIV, if exposed.
Serious eye infection in infected infant, and possible blindness.

Prevention:

Abstain from sexual activity.
Faithful marriage or mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner.
Latex condoms, when used the right way all the time, reduce but do not eliminate the risk.
See a health care provider for counseling and testing.

Treatment/Cure:

Treatment and cure are available with antibiotics.
Recent strains often resist penicillin and are difficult to cure.
Antibiotics cannot undo the damage done before treatment.

Gonorrhea is spread through vaginal, oral, or anal sex and can also be spread from mother to child during a vaginal birth. Gonorrhea infection also increases the risk of getting and spreading HIV.

If not treated, gonorrhea can cause serious health problems in males and females. Gonorrhea infects the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes in females, and the urethra in females and males. The bacteria can also grow in the mouth, throat, and anus. Gonorrhea infection can spread to other parts of the body

In females, the early symptoms of gonorrhea are often mild or not noticed. In the beginning symptoms may include a painful or burning sensation when urinating and a vaginal discharge that is yellow or occasionally bloody. Left untreated, gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can cause permanent damage to the reproductive system. It may lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancy and chronic abdominal pain.

In the beginning, symptoms in males include a burning sensation when urinating and a yellowish-white discharge from the penis. Left untreated, gonorrhea can cause epididymitis (a painful condition of the testicles that may lead to infertility). Gonorrhea can also lead to scarring inside the urethra, making urination difficult.

Gonorrhea infection during pregnancy can be passed to the baby during vaginal birth. Gonorrhea can cause blindness, joint infection, or a life-threatening blood infection in the baby. Pregnant females infected with gonorrhea should get treated right away to reduce the risk of problems for the baby.

Antibiotics will kill the gonorrhea bacteria, prevent further damage to the body, and prevent the spread of bacteria, but can not repair any damage already done. Treatment and cure does not mean a person can not get infected again. Pregnant females infected with gonorrhea should get treated right away to reduce the risk of problems for the baby.

Back to Common STDs

Last revised: April 21, 2008