Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). You get it from having sex with someone who is infected with it. You may have heard people call it 'the clap'. Both men and women can get it, though men get it more often than women.

Causes of Gonorrhea #

• This STD comes from bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

• It’s spread through sex, but a man doesn’t have to ejaculate in order to pass it on to their partner.

• As with other germs, you can get the bacteria that cause gonorrhea just from touching an infected area on another person.

• If you come into contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus of someone with gonorrhea, you could get it.

• Women who have gonorrhea can pass it to their baby during a vaginal delivery. Babies born by C-section can’t get it from their mother.

• These germs can’t live very long outside the body, so you can’t get gonorrhea by touching objects like toilet seats or clothes.

You can get gonorrhea from any kind of sexual contact, including:

• Anal intercourse

• Oral intercourse (both giving and receiving)

• Vaginal intercourse

Symptoms of Gonorrhea #

Gonorrhea symptoms in men usually include:

• Burning when you pee

• Painful or swollen testicles

• White, yellow, or green discharge from your penis

Most women don’t have symptoms. If they do, they’re often mild. You might mistake them for something else. They include:

• Burning or pain when you pee

• Bleeding between periods

• More vaginal discharge than is typical

• Pain in your belly

• Pain when you have sex

Gonorrhea infection in your rectum, or rear end, may cause:

• Bleeding

• Discharge

• Itching

• Pain when you poop

• Soreness

Diagnosis of Gonorrhea #

The doctor may ask you to undergo the following tests

• Tests of your rectum, throat, vagina, or urethra

• Urine test

Treatment of Gonorrhea #

• Your doctor will give you antibiotics to kill the bacteria.

• Some strains are becoming immune to certain antibiotics, so you’ll probably get two types of drugs: an injection and pills.

• Be sure to take all of your medication, even if you feel better quickly.

• If you’re pregnant and have gonorrhea, talk to your doctor so you can get the right treatment.

• This STD can cause health problems for babies, so it’s important to treat the disease as soon as possible to help lower your baby’s risk for complications.

• With the right treatment, gonorrhea is curable. But one successful treatment won’t protect you for life.

• You’ll need to keep practicing safe sex to keep from getting it again.