GONORRHOEA

A sexually transmitted disease, people get Gonorrhoea from vaginal, oral, or anal sexual intercourse with an infected individual. Gonorrhoea is caused by bacteria that prefer moist, warm habitats such as the uterus, reproductive tract, the cervix, the fallopian tubes, or the urethra. Gonorrhoea has been known to develop in the anus, throat, mouth, and eyes.

Gonorrhoea spreads when an individual comes in direct contact with contaminated vaginal fluids and semen. Eye infection can also occur from touching infected genitalia or organs and then touching the eyes. Gonorrhoea is not transmitted by toilet seats or shaking hands. Pregnant women are able to infect their baby during the birthing. Gonorrhoea may cause joint infection, severe blood infection, or blindness in infants.

Individuals who are sexually active are at risk of Gonorrhoea. African Americans, teenagers, and young adults are high risk groups in America. Gonorrhoea is usually asymptomatic for women but when symptoms do manifest, they surface approximately ten days after the initial infection. Symptoms for women include pain during sex, bleeding between periods, heavy bleeding during periods, pain when urinating, yellow or bloody vaginal discharge.

If you experience any symptoms during sex, consult a doctor straight away. Women are at risk of serious complications from Gonorrhoea, even though their case may be asymptomatic. Anal infections may have the symptoms of bleeding, discharge, soreness, or itching. Bowel movements may cause pain. Throat infections cause soreness but are often asymptomatic. Eye infections cause discharge, redness, and itching.

You can be tested for Gonorrhoea using a gram stain, urine test, or a swab sample. A gram stain works better for men than for women and requires a sample from the cervix or urethra. The sample is examined for bacteria using microscopy. Swab samples and urine samples need to be sent to a laboratory for testing.

Gonorrhoea is treated using antibiotics. Most individuals with Gonorrhoea tend to have Chlamydia as well, so most doctors prescribe a combination of antibiotics for the two STDs. Be sure to take the full course as prescribed by your doctor, not just until the symptoms subside. Consult your doctor if after the full course, symptoms continue. Gonorrhoea can cause permanent damage though the infection itself can be cured.

If you have Gonorrhoea, it is important to inform your sexual partners so that they can get tested. Do not have unprotected sex until your infection is completely cured. Having the infection once does not make you invulnerable to Gonorrhoea. You can get it more than once.

Without treatment, Gonorrhoea can spread to other parts of the body and increases the risk of HIV infection for women. It can also cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in women. PID occurs in the ovaries, uterus, or the fallopian tubes. While PID can be asymptomatic, manifestations include fever, backache, abdominal pain, pain during sex, vaginal discharge, and irregular periods. PID can cause infertility or ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy can cause miscarriage or kill the mother. PID has been known to result in chronic pelvic pain.

Gonorrhoea can severely complicate a pregnancy. The STD can cause preterm delivery and miscarriage. Since the infection can be spread to the infant during the birthing, antibiotic treatment of the infant’s eyes upon birth can stop eye infections. Gonorrhoea should be treated immediately in pregnant women. Their partners should be treated, as well. Your doctor can give you more information on safe treatment options.