Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neissera gonorrheae and can be spread during vaginal, anal, or oral sex, as well as from a woman to her newborn during delivery regardless of whether the mother is symptomatic at the time. Gonorrhea can affect the urethra, rectum, throat, pelvic organs, and, in rare cases, conjunctiva, as well as the cervix in women. Colloquially referred to as the ‘clap’ or the ‘drip,’ the incubation period is usually 2 to 5 days but may take up to 30 days to become visible. Gonorrhea is symptomatic in approximately 50% of infected individuals and possible symptoms include painful urination, abnormal discharge from the penis or vagina, genital itching or bleeding, and, in rare cases, sore throat or conjunctivitis. In women, symptoms may also include lower abdominal pain, fever, general tiredness, swollen and painful Bartholin glands (opening of the vaginal area), and painful sexual intercourse. In men, symptoms can include discharge from the penis that is at first clear or milky and then yellow, creamy, excessive, and sometimes blood tinged. If the infection disseminates to sites other than the genitals, possible symptoms include joint pain, arthritis, and inflamed tendons.

Left untreated, gonorrhea may cause complications to the female reproductive system, including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can result in an increased risk of infertility (a danger that increases with subsequent episodes), tubo-ovarian abscess, inflammation of the Bartholin glands, ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, and, in rare occurrences, Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome (inflammation of the liver). Left untreated in men, complications can include urethritis (infection of the urethra), epididymitis (inflammation and infection of epididymis), prostatitis, and infertility. If gonorrhea is not treated, complications may arise from disseminated gonococcal infection and include fever, cellulites, sepsis, arthritis, endocarditis (inflammation of the heart valves and the chambers of the heart), and meningitis.

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