The Gonorrhea virus is a sexually transmitted disease (STI) caused by Neisseria gonorrhea.
This typical STI tends to focus on the warm, humid areas of the body. This includes the following:
- The urethra is a tube that is a tube that drains the urinary bladder
- Eyes
- throat
- vagina
- the aforementioned
- The female reproductive tract consists of the fallopian line, the cervix, fallopian tubes, and the uterus
Gonorrhea can affect anyone of all ages and genders; however, it’s frequent among Trusted Sources for teenagers and young adults between 15 to 24.
Gonorrhea that is not treated can cause chronic health issues, and, in a few cases, it can cause infertility. Treatment with antibiotics could alleviate the symptoms and decrease the chance of suffering health issues.
What is the way gonorrhea is passed on?
You may be diagnosed with or pass on gonorrhea taking oral, anal or vaginal sexual relations.
Utilizing a condom or any other barrier technique when you engage in sexual activities can make a huge difference in decreasing your risk of passing or contracting STIs such as gonorrhea. Remember that using barrier methods doesn’t eliminate the risk, mainly if you aren’t using them correctly.
Here’s how you can use condoms and barrier techniques correctly.
Evidence suggests oral gonorrhea could be transmitted by French kissing or kissing with the tongue. However, further studies are needed to know the risks of transmission.
If you’ve experienced gonorrhea previously, you’re more likely to have a likelihood of contracting it once more. If you don’t treat it, it can increase additional contracting STIs.
Gonorrhea is also transmitted from the birth parent to the baby at the time of delivery.
The symptoms of the gonorrhea
It’s possible that you don’t notice any symptoms when you suffer from the condition of gonorrhea. However, even when you’re an asymptomatic carrier, you don’t have any symptoms is still possible to transmit gonorrhea.
You could be even more likely to spread the infection to your partner or sexual partner(s) even if there are no symptoms as you’re not aware that you’re suffering from the disease.
According to Planned Parenthood, it’s more likely to see the signs and symptoms of gonorrhea during the morning hours.
If you’re suffering from penis
There is a possibility that you will experience symptoms of gonorrhea in two to 30 days following exposure. However, it could take up to a few weeks before signs be evident, and you may not notice any symptoms at all.
The sensation of burning or pain when you urinate could be the first sign that you experience.
Other symptoms that could be present could include:
- increased frequency or urgency of more frequent or urgent urination
- A pus-like discharge that drips from the penis (this discharge may be white, yellow or beige. It could also be greenish)
- swelling and discoloration at the penis opening
- the testicular area or cause discomfort
- Itching and soreness that you feel in your genus
- rectal bleeding or discharge
- pain when you have the bowel movement
If you are an involuntary vagina
Many women who have vaginas don’t show any signs of gonorrhea. The symptoms you experience may be noticed between a few hours up to several weeks following exposure.
The symptoms can be pretty moderate. In addition, they could be very similar to the signs of vaginal yeast and other infections, making them more challenging to identify.
The possible symptoms are:
- liquid, smooth or vaginal discharges that are greenish or
- burning or pain when you urinate
- the desire to urinate more often
- more intense periods or spotting in between periods
- pain during penetrative vaginal sex
- Sharp abdominal pain
- itching and achy sensation in your genus
- rectal bleeding or discharge
- painful bowel movements
Other symptoms of gonorrhea
Gonorrhea can affect your throat and mouth.
Oral gonorrhea symptoms may be:
- a constant sore throat
- Redness and inflammation in your throat.
- swelling of lymph nodes of your neck
Gonorrhea can also trigger a fever.
The least trusted Source of gonorrhea infection can spread to the eyes. It usually happens when your genitals or the disease touch it and then rub your eye after thoroughly cleansing your hands.
Signs and symptoms of gonococcal conjunctivitis or gonorrhea of the eyes It can be characterized by:
- eye pain, irritation and tenderness
- the swelling of your eyelid
- Eye inflammation and redness
- Mucus that is yellow or white around your eyes
Tests for the gonorrhea
A doctor can determine the condition in several different ways:
- The test of the quality of your urine. Often, a urine test can reveal the presence of gonorrhea.
- A sample of fluid is tested. A medical professional can take a piece of your vagina, penis throat, rectum or vagina to obtain a sample fluid to test. This test will require an in-laboratory culture, which may take a few days.
- Test your blood. In rare cases, healthcare professionals may conduct a blood test to identify the presence of gonorrhea. But, the test might fail to be definitive.
It is common to receive results within a couple of days; however, this could vary based on the clinic you visit or your testing site. Specific clinics can deliver test results within just a couple of hours.
If you think you have gonorrhea’s crucial to refrain from any sexual activity until you get a positive test result.
It is also possible to purchase an at-home test for gonorrhea.
The complications of the gonorrhea
If you’re a woman with an open vagina, you stand more likely to suffer long-term complications due to untreated gonorrhoea.
Untreated STIs like chlamydia or gonorrhea can spread into the reproductive tract and impact the fallopian tubes, uterus and ovaries. This can result in an illness called pelvic inflammatory disorder (PID). PID can lead to chronic, severe discomfort and injury to the reproductive organs.
Scarring or blockage of the fallopian tube, another possibility of complication, could:
- makes it harder to get pregnant.
- An ectopic pregnancy occurs when fertilized eggs are implanted outside of the uterus.
Gonorrhea could also affect the infant who is born after birth.
If you’re suffering from untreated gonorrhea or penis, this can result in:
- scarring of the urinary tract,
- and painful abscess inside your penis. It may impact your fertility
- epididymitis, also known as an inflammation in the semen carrying tube in the vicinity of your testicles.
A neglected infection may also be transmitted to the bloodstream and cause sporadic Trusted Source issues like heart valve problems and arthritis Trusted Source.
Treatment for the gonorrhea
Modern antibiotics can be used to treat the gonorrhoea problem in many cases.
It isn’t possible to treat gonorrhea using at-home or over-the-counter remedies. If you suspect that you are suffering from gonorrhea or a sexual partner has Positive test results, you’ll have to seek a diagnosis and treatment from a medical professional.
Are you unsure of where to receive a test or treatment?
Many states offer diagnostic services for free or at a lower cost and treatments at state-sponsored health clinics.
Antibiotics
The treatment recommended by Trusted Source for gonorrhea is an intramuscular shot of antibiotics ceftriaxone. In most cases, you’ll receive this injection in your buttocks. The doctor will prescribe an oral medicine for you, like:
- A single dose of azithromycin in one dose
- A twice-daily dose of doxycycline for 7 days. Trusted Source
After taking these antibiotics, you’ll feel some relief in a matter of days. However, you’ll have to wait for at least a week after you’ve finished the medication before you can participate in any sexual or sexual activity.
If you experience symptoms that persist for more than a couple of days following treatment, it’s best to contact the clinic or health centre to retest.
If you suffer from oral gonorrhea, then you’ll have to check in with a medical professional within a couple of weeks—the Trusted Source to ensure that the infection is gone.
Can gonorrhea be treated?
Antibiotics can help treat gonorrhea.
However, the rise of resistant strains of gonorrhea that are antibiotic-resistant Source can pose some difficulties for the successful treatment.
This is why you’ll typically receive an injection as well as an oral dose of antibiotics. If the initial treatment method isn’t working, a medical doctor will prescribe another medication that you take one time or twice daily for seven days.
It is essential to take your medications to fully manage the illness even if the symptoms improve before you’ve finished the prescribed medicine.
If you experience symptoms even after taking your antibiotics according to your doctor’s instructions, speak with an experienced healthcare professional as soon as you can so that they can determine a new treatment.
Preventing gonorrhea
Researchers are working to create an effective vaccine that can stop the transmission of gonorrhea. However, to date, no vaccine can prevent the disease.
The best way to protect yourself from gonorrhea and other STIs is to abstain. Also, using condoms or any other barrier method each time you experience oral or vaginal sex could reduce the chance of contracting a variety of STIs.
Another vital step towards preventing STI transmission? Always discuss with your new partner before starting a sexual relationship.
It’s recommended to follow up with the current partner(s) regarding STI tests and status and test yourself regularly.
If you suspect that a person in your relationship is suffering from gonorrhea or other STI symptoms, suggest they undergo a test and abstain from sexual activities until they have a positive result.
What should you do if you’ve contracted gonorrhea?
Suppose you suspect that you are suffering from gonorrhea. In that case, it is recommended to stay clear of sexual activity and set up an appointment to have your test at a physician’s office or a different health clinic.
At the time of your appointment, you’ll be able to answer questions regarding your
- symptoms
- Sexual health background
- Sexual partner(s)
For some people, speaking about sexual health issues can be uneasy. It is essential to keep in mind that health experts are there to detect and treat health problems that you may develop, and they should always do this with respect and compassion.
Bottom line
If you suspect that you may have contracted gonorrhea, it is recommended to test as soon as possible. Be aware that this condition is quite common and is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about.
It is possible to prevent contracting or transmitting the gonorrhea virus by using barrier techniques for every sexual activity and having your body tested for STIs regularly, and discussing to the partner(s) concerning STIs before beginning the process of having a sexual relationship.