Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae and can infect both men and women. Today, it is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases, especially among young people, and it can cause infection in the genitals, rectum, and even throat.
According to the World Health Organization, this bacterial infection continues to be a significant public health problem since strains resistant to antibiotics have been appearing in recent years and are much more difficult to cure. In this FastlyHealarticle, you will find all the information regarding Gonorrhea, its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
Table of Contents
Ways of contagion of Gonorrhea
This disease is transmitted mainly through unprotected sexual contact; humid and warm areas are the ones that facilitate the proliferation of bacteria. It is important to emphasize that ejaculation is unnecessary to transmit or contract Gonorrhea. Still, that contagion can occur with mere contact with an infected person’s vagina, penis, anus, or mouth. In short, the easiest way to contract it is, without a doubt, by practicing sex without using a condom, especially when it is done with different sexual partners.
Gonorrhea symptoms
The incubation period of the disease, that is, the time elapses between contracting it until the first symptoms appear, is 2 to 5 days. However, some people may take up to a month to notice them, and others, on the other hand, do not present any symptoms, so they do not know they have been infected. The latter occurs predominantly in women, who are sometimes asymptomatic carriers.
The symptoms in men are:
- Pain and burning when urinating.
- Increased urinary frequency.
- White, yellowish, or greenish discharge from the penis.
- Red and inflamed urethral orifice.
- Sometimes tender or swollen testicles.
In the case of women, the symptoms are:
- Increased vaginal discharge.
- Pain and burning when urinating.
- Increased urination
- Breakthrough bleeding
- Lower abdominal pain
If the infection occurs in the anus, there may be discharge, anal itching, painful bowel movements, and bleeding in both sexes. However, many times it does not produce symptoms.
Gonorrhea diagnosis
Gonorrhea can be diagnosed by examining a sample of tissue or discharge, called an exudate; in men, the model is taken from the urethral exudate, and in women, from the cervical exudate. Using the Gram technique, the presence of the bacteria in the exudate is visualized. A culture of the bacteria can also be taken from the cervix, vagina, urethra, anus, or throat.
Treatment and complications of Gonorrhea
The treatment of Gonorrhea aims to cure the infection, which is usually achieved with antibiotics. Your doctor will tell you which one is the most appropriate to deal with the disease, so never decide to self-medicate without consulting a professional. Generally, the treatment that is usually applied is a dose of ceftriaxone.
Almost half of the gonorrhea-infected women also contract chlamydia, another fairly common sexually transmitted disease that must be treated simultaneously as Gonorrhea. It is also essential to communicate the contagion to all your sexual partners to analyze them and treat them if necessary, avoiding the spread of the disease.
When Gonorrhea is not treated, it can lead to certain complications such as inflammation of the urethra, inflammation of the epididymis, where sperm mature and store, infection of the fallopian tubes, disseminated gonococcal infection, or gonococcal arthritis.
The lack of symptoms does not exclude us from being infected and, therefore, from being able to suffer these possible complications. Therefore, there is no better prevention than using a condom during all sexual relations and periodically going to the gynecologist or urologist.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Gonorrhea: symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment, we recommend that you enter our category of Male reproductive system.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.