What is Gonorrhea?

Have you heard of Gonorrhea before and want to know its details? Keep reading the article to learn comprehensive information to help you understand this condition.

What is Gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, affecting both men and women. It can also infect infants during childbirth, affecting their eyes. 

This infection primarily affects the genital area, although the rectum, throat, mouth, eyes, or urinary tract can also be affected.

Gonorrhea can be easily transmitted during vaginal, oral, or anal sex. If left untreated, it can lead to long-term health complications, including infertility.

What are the symptoms?

Gonorrhea often does not cause any symptoms, but when they do occur, they typically differ between men and women.

• Gonorrhea Symptoms in Women

Women usually do not experience any symptoms, but if they do, they may include:

1. Unusual yellow or white vaginal discharge.
2. Pain during sexual intercourse.
3. Pain and burning sensation during urination.
4. Pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic area.
5. Bleeding between periods.

• Gonorrhea Symptoms in Men

Men are more likely to experience symptoms, but they typically appear several weeks after infection and may include:

1. Pain and swelling in the testicles.
2. Pain and burning sensation during urination.
3. Green, white, or yellow discharge from the penis.

• Common Symptoms in Both Genders

People who engage in oral sex may contract oral gonorrhea, which can cause the following symptoms:

1. Trouble swallowing.
2. Throat Itchy feeling and pain.
3. Persistent sore throat.
4. Swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck.

Additionally, both men and women can contract rectal gonorrhea through anal sex, which can cause the following symptoms:

1. Itching in the anus.
2. Pain during bowel movements.
3. Anal discharge.

Furthermore, if one touches an infected genital area and then touches their eyes before thoroughly washing their hands, they may develop gonorrhea in the eyes. However, this is rare and can cause:

1. Eye inflammation and redness.
2. White or yellow stringy mucus around the eyes.
3. Eyelid swelling.
4. Eye pain and irritation.

What are its causes?

Gonorrhea infection typically occurs when the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria are transmitted from an infected person during sexual contact, including oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse.

The following practices do not transmit gonorrhea:

• Kissing, hugging, or holding hands.
• Sharing food, drinks, or silverware.
• Inhaling droplets after someone sneezes or coughs.
• Using the toilet after another person.

How is it diagnosed?

To diagnose gonorrhea, the doctor will ask a series of questions about symptoms and sexual history, and then may request one of the following tests to search for the bacteria:

• Urine sample analysis.
• Throat or rectal swabbing to collect and analyze fluids.
• Collection of a fluid sample from the penis for analysis.

You can perform the STD Diseases test package offered by Blazma, which helps detect many sexually transmitted infections, including gonorrhea. This test does not require any prior preparations.

What are the treatment methods?

Gonorrhea is usually treated with antibiotics administered as injections or pills. The doctor typically requests a follow-up examination after 3 weeks to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment, as some bacterial strains have become resistant to antibiotics, making treatment more challenging.

Symptoms usually disappear a week after starting treatment, but it is essential to avoid sexual activity during the treatment period.

What are the associated complications?

Failure to treat gonorrhea can lead to various complications, including:

• Spread of the infection to the uterus, and fallopian tubes, causing pelvic inflammatory disease, which can lead to ectopic pregnancy and infertility in women.
• Infection in the testicles and epididymis inflammation in men, which may affect fertility and cause infertility.