Gonorrhoea Information

Date: July 2004

Diagnosis

A swab is taken is from urethra in men or the cervix in women and sent to a laboratory for testing. There are 3 main tests that can be performed on the samples with results being returned in most cases within 72 hours.

Often the samples are also tested for Chlamydia as people can be infected with both Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea at the same time.

Transmission

Gonorrhoea is transmitted to unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sexual contact with another person. It can also be contracted through sharing penetrative sex toys. Pregnant women should also note that gonorrhoea can be passed from mother to baby at child birth.

It is not transmitted through incidental contact with an infected person such as shaking hands, the sharing eating utensils or other social interaction.

Symptoms

The symptoms of Gonorrhoea can be mild and many can be unaware that they are infected. However symptoms may begin to appear with in 5 days in men and 10 days in women.

The following symptoms may occur in women:

• strong smelling vaginal discharge that is yellow and sometimes bloody
• burning or pain during urination
• bleeding after sex

More advanced symptoms of infection that could indicate the presence of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) include:

• pelvic pain and cramps
• bleeding between menstrual periods
• vomiting
• fever

In men the following symptoms can occur:

• pain when urinating
• a yellow or white discharge form the penis
• urinating more often than usual
• pain or swelling of the testicles

Anal or rectal infection can occur also occur in both men and women with out participating in anal sex. These symptoms include anal itchiness or painful bowel movements including blood in the faeces

Effects

If gonorrhoea is left untreated in women, PID can result which lead to infertility. Other problems include:

• Chronic menstrual difficulties
• Cystitis or inflammation of urinary bladder
• Miscarriage
• Inflammation of the uterus after childbirth

In men untreated gonorrhoea can lead to inflammation of the prostate gland and infertility.

Treatment

Infections can be treated by using one of several anti-biotics in the market. You are advised to consult your doctor or medical professional to find out which anti-biotic suits your needs.

You need to avoid unprotected sex until the course of treatment has been completed to prevent re-infection.

Once gonorrhoea has been successfully treated it won't come back unless a new infection is picked up.

Prevalence

In the United States, an estimated 700 000 new gonorrhoeal infections occur each year. Only half of these are reported to the Center for Disease Control.

While in Western Europe over 1 million new cases are reported each year.