Overview of Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a type of sexually transmitted disease (STD) and is also known as a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Though it is most often found in the genital and reproductive organs, it can also thrive in the mouth, throat, and rectum. It is spread to these areas via sexual contact. It can also infect the eyes if it comes into contact with them (often from an infected mother to her newborn).

According to the CDC, the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae thrives in moist warm areas, which pretty much includes all areas of a man or woman's reproductive system. Since it is acclimated to these conditions, the bacteria reproduce and flourish in these body tissues.

Men with gonorrhea may exhibit the following symptoms: a burning sensation when urinating; a white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis; painful or swollen testicles; and possibly no symptoms at all. Symptoms generally manifest within two to five days of exposure. In some cases they may not appear for up to 30 days. During this time, if the man has unprotected sexual intercourse (vaginally, anally, and/or orally) he can spread the bacteria to his partner.

Like in men, some women may experience no symptoms. When exhibiting symptoms of gonorrhea, women can easily mistake them as signs of other illnesses, such as a urinary tract infection of vaginal infection. The symptoms are also very similar to chlamydia's symptoms. They may include: painful or burning sensation when urinating; increased vaginal discharge; and/or bleeding between periods.

The symptoms associated with a rectal gonorrhea infection (whether in men or women) can include: discharge; anal itching; soreness; bleeding; painful bowel movements; or no symptoms at all. Gonorrhea in the throat may cause soreness, but often it will cause no symptoms at all.

Serious risks associated with gonorrhea include: pelvic inflammatory disease (PID; in women only); ectopic, also called tubal, pregnancies (which can be fatal); and epididymitis (in men), which is a condition affecting the ducts attached to the testicles. Epididymitis and PID are both painful conditions that can lead to infertility. Gonorrhea infections increase the odds of contracting HIV as well. Gonorrhea can thrive in other body parts as well, and can become life threatening if it spreads to the blood and/or joints.

Since gonorrhea's symptoms may be mild or even non-existent, the best way to prevent infection is by limiting your number of sexual partners and by using protection during sex. Annual screenings for both men and women can also catch asymptomatic cases of gonorrhea. The sooner it is treated, the less risk of serious and permanent side effects.

Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics. Unfortunately there are some newer strains that are antibiotic resistant. These cases must be treated with different antibiotics than are typically used to treat gonorrhea. They are harder to cure because of their adaptation to the most common and effective antibiotics used to treat most cases of the infection.

Sources:

Gonorrhea- CDC Fact Sheet, http://cdc.gov/std/Gonorrhea/STDFact-gonorrhea.htm

Basic Information about Antibiotic-Resistant Gonorrhea (ARG) , http://cdc.gov/std/Gonorrhea/arg/basic.htm