Gonorrhea: Causes, Symptoms & treatment

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). One can get it from having sex with someone who is already infected with it. One might have heard people calling it “the clap.” Both men and women could get it. This STI  is easily spread via sexual fluids, which include vaginal fluid and semen. One could easily get gonorrhea due to intercourse, oral sex, anal sex or sharing sex toys with an infected person.

This STI  usually does not cause symptoms. This makes it quite easy to infect the partners unknowingly. Getting tested frequently  according to the doctor’s advice and following safer sex practices would reduce the risk of infection.

Sexually active people irrespective of their age or sex could get gonorrhea and spread it to their partners. One could pass the infection on to the baby during childbirth.

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One is at greater risk of infection when one:

• Are under 25.
• Have a history of STIs.
• do not use condoms or dental dams each time one has sex.
• Are having with the partner having this STI .

Symptoms of Gonorrhea: 

One would not always notice any symptoms when one has this STI . But even when the person is an asymptomatic carrier that means one has no symptoms  yet one might still transmit gonorrhea.

The person might even be more likely to transmit it to the sexual partner when one does not have any symptoms, as the person is not aware he/she has the infection.

One is too likely to notice signs and symptoms of this STI in the morning. Many people with a vagina do not develop any symptoms of gonorrhea at all. Symptoms that one does experience might show up anywhere from a day or so to several weeks after the person is exposed.

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These symptoms are often fairly mild. They might seem very similar to symptoms of vaginal yeast or other bacterial infections that could make them even more difficult to recognize.

Possible symptoms include:

• watery, creamy greenish vaginal discharge
• pain or burning while urinating
• an urge to urinate more frequently
• heavier periods or spotting between periods
• pain during penetrative vaginal sex
• itching and soreness in the anus
• rectal bleeding or discharge
• very painful bowel movements

Other gonorrhea symptoms: 

Gonorrhea could also affect the mouth and throat.

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Oral gonorrhea symptoms could include:

• a persistently sore throat
• redness and inflammation in the throat
• swelling in neck
• This STI could also cause fever.

In rare cases, this STI might spread to the eyes. This typically happens when one touches the genitals or the site of the infection, and then touches the eye before properly washing the hands.

Symptoms of gonococcal conjunctivitis or gonorrhea of the eye, would include:

• irritation, eye pain and tenderness
• swelling in the eyelid
• redness and eye inflammation sticky white or yellow mucus around the eye

What causes gonorrhea?

One might get an infection when the bacteria that causes gonorrhea enters the body through sexual fluids, like vaginal fluid or semen often through unprotected sex. The bacteria could enter the body through a vagina, penis, mouth or anus. Neither the person nor their partner has to ejaculate (cum) in order to spread the bacteria. Gonorrhea could also be spread by sharing sex toys that have not been washed or covered with a new condom.

In people assigned as women at birth, one of the most common sites of infection is the cervix. The opening called the cervix between the vagina and the uterus. Whereas in people assigned male at birth, infection commonly starts in the urethra, the tube where urine exits the body.

What does not cause gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a contagious infection that could spread easily during sexual activity. Not all the intimate acts or body fluid exchanges might put one at risk for this STI. One could not get gonorrhea from:

• Using a toilet after someone else.
• Kissing, hugging or holding hands.
• Sharing food, drinks or silverware.
• Inhaling droplets after someone coughs or sneezes.

Diagnosis of Gonorrhea: 

The doctor would ask the patient about their symptoms and medical history. They might also advise a test that might require the urine sample or a swab of the penis, urethra, anus,cervix, eyelid or throat.

At home tests are also available and are easily accessible. People using at home testing kits might send their sample to a lab and receive the results directly. When the results are positive, they immediately need to see a doctor for treatment, and the doctor might wish to do another test to confirm the result.

It is necessary to use the kit exactly as per the instructions or else the results might not be accurate. Because the tests could vary in accuracy, it is better to see a healthcare professional, as and when possible.

When a person is diagnosed with this STI or another STI, any sexual partners are required to also receive testing.

Treatment of Gonorrhea: 

Everyone with this STI requires treatment so as to stop the infection from progressing. The treatment typically involves antibiotics.

It becomes very important to receive treatment as soon as possible. 

There are certain situations in which a doctor might recommend a different treatment like for example, one who is involved in taking an oral antibiotic. In such a case, it becomes necessary to take the full course of medication and avoid sharing it with anyone else.

Antibiotic resistance makes this STI really difficult to be treated. If a person does not notice any improvement in their symptoms after several days, he/she is required to return to their doctor for guidance. Further the testing could determine if the treatment is working or not.

It is important to attend the follow up appointments and avoid having sex until the healthcare professional stamps that it is safe to do so. Talk to Gytree’s experts to get the right guidance on STI treatment and prevention for a healthy sexual life.

If gonorrhea occurs during pregnancy, it becomes essential to let the healthcare team know. The infection could pass on to the baby during delivery, so the newborn might need antibiotics right away.

Some newborns develop conjunctivitis, and this STI is one possible cause of that. The symptoms usually appear two to four days after the birth and include red eyes, thick pus in the eyes and swollen eyelids as well.

If any of these symptoms arise, go for medical attention immediately.

Complications of this STI: 

Gonorrhea might cause various serious complications. Due to this reason, it becomes important to receive the treatment as soon as possible.

For a person with a vagina, gonorrhea might lead to:

• infertility
• chronic pelvic pain
• PID
• ectopic pregnancy, that could be a medical emergency

Other complications of the infection might occur during pregnancy and delivery. And without any treatment, gonorrhea might increase the risk of stillbirth.

It leads to loss of vision or bacteremia, joint infection a life threatening blood infection. And anyone who has untreated gonorrhea might face infections in the joints that would require IV treatment.

The STI could also lead to disseminated gonococcal infection, that might be life threatening. 

Some signs and symptoms include:

• dermatitis, that usually involves a rash dry or itchy, skin
• arthritis
• a fever
• inflammation and swelling around the tendons

In addition to this, people with gonorrhea have a higher risk of transmitting HIV. One reason might be that either infection might cause open sores, that could inturn make it easier for viruses and bacteria to enter the body.

Prevention from Gonorrhea: 

Ways to prevent gonorrhea include:

• avoiding sexual activity when there is the possibility of infection
• using a barrier method of protection, like, condoms, during anal or vaginal ntercourse
• using condoms or dental dams at the time of oral intercourse
• having sexual activity only with a with a mutually monogamous partner who does not have the infection