You can get it through contact with the mouth, throat, eyes, urethra, vagina, penis, or anus. Gonorrhea is the second most commonly reported communicable disease. Approximately , cases occur in the United States each year. The bacteria grow in warm, moist areas of the body. This can include the tube that carries urine out of the body urethra.
In women, the bacteria may be found in the reproductive tract which includes the fallopian tubes, uterus, and cervix. The bacteria can also grow in the eyes. Health care providers are required by law to tell the State Board of Health about all cases of gonorrhea. The goal of this law is make sure the person gets proper follow-up care and treatment. Sexual partners also need to be found and tested. Symptoms of gonorrhea most often appear 2 to 5 days after infection.
However, it may take up to a month for symptoms to appear in men. Some people do not have symptoms. They may not know that they have caught the infection, so do not seek treatment.
This increases the risk of complications and the chances of passing the infection on to another person. Symptoms in women can be very mild. They can be mistaken for another type of infection. They include:. Gonorrhea can be quickly detected by looking at a sample of discharge or tissue under the microscope.
This is called a gram stain. This method is fast, but it is not the most certain. Gonorrhea is most accurately detected with DNA tests. DNA tests are useful for screening. The ligase chain reaction LCR test is one of the tests. DNA tests are quicker than cultures. These tests can be performed on urine samples, which are easier to collect than samples from the genital area.
Prior to DNA tests, cultures cells that grow in a lab dish were used to provide proof of gonorrhea, but are less commonly used now. Samples for a culture are most often taken from the cervix, vagina, urethra, anus, or throat.
Rarely, samples are taken from joint fluid or blood. Cultures can often provide an early diagnosis within 24 hours. A confirmed diagnosis is available within 72 hours. If you have gonorrhea, you should ask to be tested for other sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV herpes and hepatitis. About one half of the women with gonorrhea are also infected with chlamydia.
Chlamydia is treated at the same time as a gonorrhea infection. You will need a follow-up visit 7 days after if your symptoms include joint pain, skin rash, or more severe pelvic or abdomen pain. Tests will be done to make sure the infection is gone. Sexual partners must be tested and treated to prevent passing the infection back and forth.
You and your partner must finish all of the antibiotics. What is the treatment for gonorrhea? What about partners? How can gonorrhea be prevented? Where can I get more information? Sexually transmitted infections among US women and men: Prevalence and incidence estimates, Sex Transm Dis ; in press. Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance, Asymptomatic gonorrhea in men. N Engl J Med , 3 , — High incidence of new sexually transmitted infections in the year following a sexually transmitted infection: a case for rescreening.
Ann Intern Med , 8 , — A trial of minocycline given after exposure to prevent gonorrhea. N Engl J Med , 19 , — Wallin J. Gonorrhea in a 1-year study of patients attending the VD unit in Uppsala.
Brit J Vener Dis , 51, 41—47 Risk of acquiring gonorrhea and prevalence of abnormal adnexal findings among women recently exposed to gonorrhea. JAMA , 23 , — Clinical spectrum of gonococcal infection in women. Lancet , 1 , — Female gonorrhea: its relation to abnormal uterine bleeding, urinary tract symptoms, and cervicitis. Obstet Gynecol , 45 2 , — Anorectal gonococcal infection.
Ann Intern Med , 86, — Clinical spectrum of pharyngeal gonococcal infection. N Engl J Med , 4 , — Bro-Jorgensen A, Jensen T. Gonococcal pharyngeal infections: report of cases. Brit J Vener Dis , 49, — Differences in some clinical and laboratory parameters in acute salpingitis related to culture and serologic findings. Am J Obstet Gynecol , 7 , — Etiology, manifestations and therapy of acute epididymitis: prospective study of 50 cases. J Urol , 6 , — Disseminated gonococcal infection.
Ann Intern Med , 74, — Fleming D, Wasserheit J. From epidemiological synergy to public health policy and practice: the contribution of other sexually transmitted diseases to sexual transmission of HIV infection. Sex Transm DIs , 75 1 , 3—17 Gonococcal sepsis secondary to fetal monitoring. Am J Obstet Gynecol , 4 , — Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for gonorrhea: recommendation statement.
Ann Fam Med , 3, — Irregular menstrual bleeding. Lower abdominal belly pain. Fever and general tiredness. Swollen and painful glands at the opening of the vagina Bartholin glands. Painful sexual intercourse. Sore throat rare. Pink eye conjunctivitis rare. Symptoms in men In men, symptoms are usually obvious enough that they will cause a man to seek medical treatment before complications occur. Symptoms may include: Abnormal discharge from the penis clear or milky at first, and then yellow, creamy, and excessive, sometimes blood-tinged.
Painful or frequent urination or urethritis. Other symptoms Disseminated gonococcal infection DGI occurs when the gonorrhea infection spreads to sites other than the genitals, such as the joints, skin, heart, or blood. Symptoms of DGI include: Rash. Joint pain or arthritis. Inflamed tendons. What Happens Gonorrhea causes no long-term problems if it is treated early in the course of the infection before any complications develop.
Complications in women Women with untreated gonorrhea may have the following complications of the female reproductive system: Pelvic inflammatory disease PID. The risk of infertility increases with each episode of PID. An abscess in or near the ovaries tubo-ovarian abscess Inflammation of the Bartholin glands An ectopic tubal pregnancy Chronic pelvic pain Infertility Fitz-Hugh—Curtis syndrome rare Complications in pregnant women Problems related to untreated gonorrhea in pregnant women include: The possibility of a miscarriage.
Preterm labour. The woman may be given medicines to prevent premature birth, which could require a stay in the hospital. Premature rupture of the membranes PROM , which happens before labour contractions start. The amniotic sac breaks open, causing amniotic fluid to gush out, or less commonly, to slowly leak.
Premature delivery. A premature infant has an increased risk of health problems. Infection of the lining of the uterus endometritis. Complications in newborns Newborns of women with untreated gonorrhea may have any of the following complications: Pink eye conjunctivitis.
Most newborns who have gonorrhea also get pink eye. An infection in the bloodstream sepsis Inflammation of a joint arthritis Scalp infections at the site of a fetal monitoring device Infection of the fluid and tissues that surround the brain and spinal cord meningitis Complications in men Men with untreated gonorrhea may develop: Epididymitis , an inflammation and infection of the epididymis—the long, tightly coiled tube that lies behind each testicle and collects sperm.
An inflammation of the prostate gland prostatitis. Complications of untreated gonorrhea in other areas of the body Disseminated gonococcal infection DGI occurs when the gonorrhea infection spreads to sites other than the genitals, such as the joints, skin, heart, or blood.
Complications of DGI include: Fever. Skin infection cellulitis. An infection in the bloodstream sepsis. Inflammation of a joint arthritis. It most often affects the knees and hands. An infection and inflammation of the heart valves and the chambers of the heart endocarditis. An infection of the fluid and tissues that surround the brain and spinal cord meningitis. What Increases Your Risk Risk factors for getting gonorrhea include: Having multiple sex partners more than one sex partner in the past year.
Having a high-risk partner partner has other sex partners, unprotected sex, or gonorrhea-infected sex partners. Having unprotected sexual contact not using condoms. When should you call your doctor? In women: Call your doctor immediately if you have the following symptoms. Vaginal discharge that has become yellowish, thicker, or bad-smelling Bleeding between periods that occurs more than once when periods are usually regular Pain during sexual intercourse Bleeding after sexual intercourse Sores, bumps, rashes, blisters, or warts on or around the genital or anal area Anal itching, discomfort, bleeding, or discharge.
Burning, pain, or itching with urination or frequent urination lasting longer than 24 hours Pelvic or lower belly pain that occurs without a known cause, such as diarrhea or menstrual cramps Pink eye conjunctivitis Call your doctor or clinic if you have unprotected sex with someone who has, or who you think may have, a sexually transmitted infection. In men: Call your doctor immediately if you have the following symptoms.
Sores, bumps, rashes, blisters, or warts on or around the genital or anal areas Burning, pain, or itching with urination or frequent urination lasting longer than 24 hours Suspected exposure to a sexually transmitted infection Abnormal discharge from the penis Pink eye conjunctivitis Anal itching, discomfort, bleeding, or discharge. Watchful waiting Watchful waiting is a period of time during which you and your doctor observe your symptoms or condition without using medical treatment.
Who to see Ask your family doctor or general practitioner about diagnosing and treating gonorrhea. Examinations and Tests Diagnosis of gonorrhea includes a medical history and a physical examination. Do you think you have been exposed to any sexually transmitted infections STIs?
How do you know? Did your partner tell you? What are your symptoms? Do you have any discharge? If you have discharge from your vagina or penis, it is important to note any smell or colour.
Do you have sores in your genital area or anywhere else on your body? Do you have any urinary symptoms, including frequent urination, burning or stinging with urination, or urinating in small amounts? Do you have any unusual belly or pelvic pain? What method of birth control do you use? Do you use a condom to protect against STIs every time you have sex? Do you or your partner engage in certain sexual behaviours that may put you at risk, such as having multiple sex partners or having sex without using a condom except if you're in a long-term relationship?
Have you had an STI in the past? How was it treated? Then: A woman may have a pelvic examination. A man may have a genital examination to look for signs of urethritis and epididymitis.
You may have a urine test for gonorrhea. Your doctor may recommend testing for: Chlamydia, a bacterial infection of the urethra in men, and the urethra, the cervix, or the upper reproductive organs or all three in women. Syphilis, a bacterial infection in which the most common symptom is a painless sore called a chancre say "SHANK-er" that develops on the genitals. Hepatitis B, a viral infection that causes the liver to become swollen and tender inflamed.
Human immunodeficiency virus HIV , a virus that attacks the immune system, making it difficult for the body to fight off infection and some diseases. Early detection The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends gonorrhea screening for all sexually active people age 25 and younger.
Treatment Overview Gonorrhea causes no long-term problems if it is treated early in the course of the infection before any complications develop. Initial treatment Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics.
Treatment is recommended for: A person who has a positive gonorrhea test. Anyone who has had sexual contact in the past 60 days with a person diagnosed with gonorrhea, whether or not they have symptoms or used condoms. A newborn whose mother has gonorrhea at the time of delivery.
Do not have sexual contact with anyone: While you are being treated. Until both you and your partner s have been tested and treated. If you are treated for gonorrhea and your sex partner is not, you will probably become infected again. Treatment if the condition does not get better Symptoms that do not go away after treatment may be caused by another gonorrhea infection or treatment failure. What to think about To prevent reinfection, don't have sex until any partner that might be infected is tested and treated.
Prevention You can take measures to reduce your risk of becoming infected with gonorrhea or another sexually transmitted infection STI.
Practice safer sex Preventing a sexually transmitted infection STI is easier than treating an infection after it occurs. Talk with your partner about STIs before beginning a sexual relationship. Find out whether he or she is at risk for an STI. Remember that it is quite possible to be infected with an STI without knowing it. Don't have more than one sexual relationship at a time. Your risk for an STI increases if you have several sex partners at the same time.
Home Treatment There is no home treatment for gonorrhea. If you have been diagnosed with gonorrhea: Take the full course of antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor. If you skip doses or do not complete the treatment, the infection may not be cured. Do not have sexual contact with anyone while you are being treated. If your treatment is a single dose of antibiotics, wait at least 7 days after taking the dose before having any sexual contact.
Make sure your partner knows that he or she needs to be treated even if there are no symptoms. You can spread the infection to others even if you do not have symptoms. Call your doctor if your symptoms continue or reappear after treatment or if new symptoms develop. You may need a different antibiotic medicine or further tests. Medications Antibiotics , if taken exactly as directed, normally cure gonorrhea infections.
What to think about There is an increasing number of strains of gonorrhea that can't be killed by are resistant to certain antibiotics. Canadian guidelines on sexually transmitted infections: Section 6—Specific populations. Public Health Agency of Canada. Drugs for sexually transmitted infections.
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