There are around 1.5 million new cases each year.
Despite its prevalence, many people don’t know they have gonorrhea.
This is because gonorrhea doesn’t always cause symptoms, especially in females.
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This is why it’s so important to stay up to date on STI screening.
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Initial Symptoms of Gonorrhea
Gonorrheais transmitted during sexual activity.
When there are symptoms, they are sometimes mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Males with this infection can develop:
Rectal gonorrhea may cause:
These symptoms can be mistaken for hemorrhoids.
Symptoms in Babies
Vertical transmission can also occur.
This means a baby can get gonorrhea from its mother.
This usually doesn’t happen while the baby is in the womb.
The transmission can occur during delivery when the baby is exposed to the mother’s genital secretions.
When this happens, the bacteria that causes gonorrhea may be transferred to the newborn’s eyes.
This causesophthalmia neonatorum, a form ofconjunctivitis(eye infection).
It is characterized by eye redness, pain, and discharge.
The routine administration of an antibacterial eye ointment at birth can prevent this condition.
This is a potentially serious infection of the female reproductive tract.
Symptoms will often appear immediately after a menstrual period.
In some cases, this is the first sign of infection.
PID is characterized by pain in the pelvis and lower abdomen.
Other symptoms include:
Infertility
An infection can sometimes cause scarring in thefallopian tubes.
This can lead to complete tubal blockage and infertility.
If a partial blockage occurs a fertilized egg may be unable to pass from theovariesto theuterus.
This would result in an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy.
When this happens, a miscarriage is inevitable.
If there is a rupture and hemorrhage, it can put the mother’s life at risk.
Complications in Males
In males, an untreated infection can damage and block theepididymis.
This is the narrow tube that stores sperm in the scrotum.
Gonorrhealepididymitismay be identified by:
The blockage of one or both tubes can lead to infertility.
This can cause:
Left untreated, the infection can cause scarring and perforation of thecornea.
This can lead to vision loss or blindness.
This is called disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI).
This complication occurs in around 3% of people who have gonorrhea.
People with animpaired immune systemare at the highest risk for disseminated gonococcal infection.
This includes organ recipients and people with inadequately treated HIV.
DGI is often called arthritis-dermatitis syndrome.
Very rarely, the infection can settle in the heart and causeendocarditis(inflammation of the heart valve).
This can trigger headaches, fever, fatigue, a stiff neck, and mental confusion.
It is also important to get tested if you have any signs of infection, however mild.
If you are sexually active, you should get tested annually for gonorrhea and other STIs.
Their role is to provide treatment if needed and guidance to reduce your future risk.
Summary
Gonorrhea often has no symptoms, especially in females.
In males, symptoms may not be noticed in time to prevent passing the disease on to others.
When symptoms do appear, they can include discharge, pain, and itchiness.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Annual screening is recommended for:
Gonorrhea is typically treated with antibiotics, namely ceftriaxone.
Frequently Asked Questions
The infection can be cured with antibiotics.
However, any damage done prior to treatment may be permanent.
As bacteria become increasingly drug-resistant, prevention is the best way to protect yourself.
Someone with gonorrhea may not be aware of it until it causes complications such as a secondary infection.
For people who do experience symptoms, it can take up to 30 days for them to appear.
Gonorrhea needs to be treated for prevent dangerous and/or permanent complications.
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Lovett A, Duncan JA.Human immune responses and the natural history of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection.Front Immunol.
