Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a type of bacterial infection transmitted through oral, anal, or vaginal sex with someone who is infected. Symptoms vary in men and women, but tend to include some type of discharge and pain. Gonorrhea is generally treated with a course of antibiotics. If left untreated, the bacteria can spread into the reproductive tract or, in rare cases, into the bloodstream and infect the joints, heart valves, or brain.

 

Gonorrhea: An Introduction

Gonorrhea is a curable sexually transmitted disease (STD). People can get gonorrhea by having oral, anal, or vaginal sex with someone who has the infection.
 

Cause of Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is caused by a bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae that can grow in warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, like the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes in women, as well as in the urethra in both men and women. Gonorrhea can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes, and anus in men and women.
 

How Is Gonorrhea Spread?

Gonorrhea transmission can occur through contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus. It can also be spread from mother to baby during a vaginal delivery. It is important to note that any sexually active person can be infected with gonorrhea. In the United States, the highest reported rates of infection are among sexually active teenagers, young adults, and African Americans.
 

Symptoms of Gonorrhea

In most cases, men will have signs and symptoms of gonorrhea more often than women. Gonorrhea symptoms in men may include:
 
  • White, yellow, or green pus from the penis with pain
  • Burning sensations during urination
  • Swollen testicles.
 
Gonorrhea symptoms in women may include:
 
  • Bleeding associated with vaginal intercourse
  • Painful or burning sensations when urinating
  • Yellow or bloody vaginal discharge.
 
For women, early symptoms of gonorrhea are often mild.
 
(Gonorrhea Continued: Page 2)
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD