How Is Gonorrhea Transmitted?
Gonorrhea is transmitted through contact with an infected vagina, penis, anus, or mouth. It is spread through semen or vaginal fluids during unprotected sexual contact with a partner who has gonorrhea. Touching infected sex organs, like the vagina or penis, and then touching your eyes can also cause an eye infection. However, gonorrhea cannot be passed by shaking hands or by sitting on a toilet seat.
Gonorrhea can also be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her baby during a vaginal delivery. In babies, a gonorrhea infection may cause:
- Blindness
- Joint infection
- A life-threatening blood infection.
How Is Gonorrhea Transmitted? -- Risk Factors
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.
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