How to Prevent Getting Gonorrhea: An Overview

The best way to prevent getting gonorrhea is to abstain from sexual intercourse. Another option is to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is not infected with gonorrhea. Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can also reduce the risk of getting this and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

 

Any genital symptoms, such as discharge, burning during urination, or an unusual sore or rash, should be a signal to stop having sex and to see a doctor immediately. If a person has been diagnosed and treated for gonorrhea, he or she should notify all recent sex partners so that they can see a healthcare provider and be treated as well. This will reduce the risk that the sex partners will develop serious complications from gonorrhea and will also reduce the original person's risk of becoming reinfected. Both people who are infected and all of their sex partners must avoid sex until they have completed their treatment for gonorrhea.