Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a certain type of bacteria. This eMedTV resource describes this condition in detail, including transmission methods, treatment, and complications that can result if gonorrhea is left untreated.
This eMedTV article answers the question, "How is gonorrhea transmitted?" It explains that gonorrhea is transmitted through contact with infected sex organs, anus, or mouth, or from a mother to her baby during a vaginal birth.
In women, signs and symptoms of gonorrhea include painful urination and bleeding with vaginal intercourse. This eMedTV segment talks in detail about gonorrhea symptoms in men and women, and also lists several advanced symptoms of the disease.
This eMedTV article describes the various tests used to diagnose gonorrhea. For example, performing a Gram stain, detecting bacterial genes in urine, and growing cultures of the bacteria are all methods employed to diagnose gonorrhea.
A gonorrhea test can be conducted through a swab sample or urine test; the third test is a Gram stain. In this eMedTV article, each gonorrhea test is explained in detail.
This eMedTV article stresses the importance of proper treatment for gonorrhea (usually antibiotics). Drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea are becoming common, however; as a result, successful treatment for gonorrhea is becoming more difficult.
This eMedTV article includes a detailed list of recommendations for preventing gonorrhea. For example, preventing gonorrhea requires that you understand birth control, talk to your partner and doctor, and have regular pelvic exams and testing.
Gonorrhea complications discussed in this eMedTV article include pelvic inflammatory disease (in women) and epididymitis (in men). Other gonorrhea complications, although rare, include infections of the joints, heart valves, or brain.
This eMedTV explains what you should know about pregnancy and gonorrhea, including tips for reducing your risk of passing the infection to your child. For example, pregnant women should have at least one test for gonorrhea during prenatal care.
This eMedTV page highlights key gonorrhea statistics about the prevalence of gonorrhea versus reported cases. According to recent gonorrhea statistics, in the U.S., approximately 75% of all reported cases are found in people 15 to 29 years of age.
