What causes Gonorrhea?

• Gonorrhea is an infection caused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhea.
• This bacterium is also known as "the clap".
• Neisseria gonorrhea is found in moist area of the body such as the vagina, penis, throat, eye and rectum.

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How do you get it?

• It is possible to get gonorrhea through contact with someone who is infected in these areas:
  • vagina
  • penis
  • throat
  • eye
  • rectum
• You can also self-infect. This means that if you have the infection say on your genitals and you rub or scratch them and then you touch your eye, your eye will then get infected.
• One can acquire gonorrhea easily from:
  • penis to vagina sex
  • penis to mouth "oral" sex
  • penis to rectum "anal" sex
  • mouth to vagina contact
• A baby can get it from an infected mother during birth.
• Very rarely, gonorrhea can be transmitted through kissing (if there is a cut on the lip or some other opening that comes in contact)

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Who gets it?

• Any sexually active person can get gonorrhea.
• But, it is more common in younger people (ages 15-30) and people from urban areas.

What happens to me if I get this?

• What happens in men?
  • yellow pus-like discharge from the urethra which one sees at the tip of the penis
  • stinging sensation during urination
  • Urinate more often, and there may be blood in the urine
  • Many times, the glands in the groin swell, and the head of the penis may turn red.
  • BUT, about 20% of infected men do not feel anything and can still have the infection.
• What happens in women?
  • Most infected women do not feel anything.
  • If they do see something, it is usually:
    • vaginal discharge
    • irritation of the external vagina
    • burning sensation during urination
    • abnormal menstrual bleeding
• What happens in both men and women?
  • If the infection is in the throat or anus, there may be:
    • pain
    • itching
    • soreness
    • redness
    • and discharge in the areas affected.

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How long does it last?

• It may be one day to two weeks before one feels something and then can last as long as it is left untreated.
• BUT, some may not even feel anything at all and the infection will stay there until it is treated.
• It will not go away if left untreated; the infection will simply lead to more harmful and irreversible complications.

How can I prevent it?

• A condom should be used during any type of sexual activity.
• The number of different sex partners should be kept to a minimum.
• Finally, if you think you are infected, sexual contact with anyone should be avoided and you should visit a STD clinic, hospital or see your doctor.

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How does the doctor test for this?

• In the area of possible infection, a bacterial culture test can be used in to test for gonorrhea

How is it treated?

• Treatment is based on the sex, age, and affected area.
• Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics.
• The current antibiotics available are:
  • ceftriaxone
  • cefuroxime
  • doxycycline
  • TMP/SMX
  • ciprofloxacin
• Gonorrhea is treatable but it is becoming more resistant to penicillin which was previously used.

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What happens to me in the long run?

• If gonorrhea is left untreated, the disease may ultimately lead to infertility for both men and women.
  • In women
    • the infection can spread to the fallopian tubes, uterus, and ovaries and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a major cause of infertility
  • In men
    • the infection may move into the prostate gland, seminal vesicles, and epididymis, causing severe pain and fever.
    • Rarely, gonorrhea can lead to septic arthritis in men.
• Gonorrhea in the eye can lead to blindness.
• If gonorrhea gets in the blood, the entire body becomes infected, which is called "disseminated gonorrhea."

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