Gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted disease (STD), is caused by the bacterium neisseria gonorrhoeae. This specific bacterium develops and multiplies easily in moist, warm regions in the reproductive tract (uterus, cervix and fallopian tubes in females); and in the urethra in men and women. The bacterium can also grow within the anus, eyes, throat, or mouth.
How does one get Gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea transmits by way of contact with the vagina, penis, mouth, or anus. Gonorrhea might be transmitted with out ejaculation. It may also spread from a new mother to her newborn through delivery.
An individual might be re-infected with gonorrhea after undergoing treatment by means of sexual contact with another person infected with gonorrhea.
What are problems from Gonorrhea?
Untreated or unnoticed gonorrhea can create serious and long-term health conditions for men and women.
Women can develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Around a million women get PID inside the U.S. each year. Often, these women show absolutely no symptoms or signs of actually having PID. If symptoms are evident, they will often include intense abdominal pain as well as fever. Troubles can include internal abscesses, long-term pelvic discomfort and fallopian tube damage. Fallopian tube damage could potentially cause inability to conceive and even life-threatening ectopic pregnancies (where a fertilized egg develops on the outside of the womb, most likely in a fallopian tube).
For males, gonorrhea may cause epididymitis. Epididymitis is an extremely painful testicle situation that if left untreated, may lead to infertility.
The Gonorrhea Test
A first morning urine test will be the preferred test for Gonorrhea. However, a sample coming from a patient who has not urinated 1-2 hours prior to the test is usually acceptable.
Gonorrhea Symptoms
Gonorrhea infection indicators:
- Some males may well not display any warning signs of gonorrhea; however, certain men have signs and symptoms appear two to six days following original infection. From time to time, indicators could take a month to show. Warning signs normally include green, yellow or white penile discharge, as well as a burning sensation while urinating. At times, men encounter inflamed or painful testicles with gonorrhea.
- Most females having gonorrhea experience moderate symptoms or no signs or symptoms at all. Sometimes, the symptoms might be mistaken as a vaginal or urinary tract infection. Preliminary signs include spotting in between periods, a burning or unpleasant sensation while urinating, or a rise in vaginal discharge. Women can develop severe problems from an untreated gonorrhea infection.
- A gonorrhea infection in the rectum might result in anal irritation, bleeding, tenderness, discharge, as well as unpleasant bowel movements in both men and women.
- Gonorrhea infections in the throat may cause a sore throat but typically cause no signs or symptoms.
