>Personal Health >STD >Common STD >Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea

Spanish(PDF 130kb) | Creole(PDF 127kb)

Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacterium that can grow and multiply easily in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, including the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes in women, and in the urethra in women and men. The bacterium can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes, and anus. Gonorrhea is transmitted through vaginal, anal, oral sex, or infected urethal or vaginal discharge into a woman's rectum. It can also be transmitted from mother to newborn during vaginal childbirth.

Signs & Symptoms: Many individuals are asymptomatic (without symptoms. If symptoms occur, they usually appear 2-7 days after exposure but may take as long as 30 days.

• Abnormal or increased vaginal discharge
• Burning sensation when urinating
• Frequent urination
• Pain during intercourse
• Bleeding between menstrual periods
• Anal irritation (itching, soreness, painful bowel movements, and bleeding)
• Discharge from penis
• Burning or itching around opening of penis
• Penile (head) swelling and soreness
• Painful or swelling of the testicles

Complications and Consequences:

• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
• Infertility
• Ectopic (tubal) pregnancy
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Increased risk of acquiring HIV
• Premature delivery
• Blindness
• Joint Infection
• Life threatening blood infection in newborns

Prevention:

• Abstinence
• Early treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)
• Appropriate use of condoms and barriers
• Take all precribed medications, even after symptoms dissipate
• Notify all recent sex partners if infected
• Avoidance of sexual contact with a partner until treatment is completed