Introduction

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae or gonococcus. It used to be known as “the clap”.

The bacteria are found mainly in discharge from the penis and vaginal fluid from infected men and women. Gonorrhoea is easily passed between people through:

* unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex, and
* sharing vibrators or other sex aids, that have not been washed or covered with a new condom each time they are used.

It can also be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby.

Typical symptoms are an unusual discharge from the vagina or penis and pain when urinating.

How common is it?

Gonorrhoea is a less common STI in the UK than chlamydia, genital warts or genital herpes, but over 16,500 new cases of gonorrhoea were reported in 2008. Young men and women aged 16-24 are the most affected: in 2008, they accounted for 47% of new gonorrhoea diagnoses.

Who is at risk?

Anyone who is sexually active can contract gonorrhoea, especially people who change partners frequently or do not use a barrier method of contraception, such as a condom, when having sexual intercourse.

Previous successful treatment for gonorrhoea does not make you immune from catching the infection again.

Outlook

Gonorrhoea can be easily diagnosed through a simple swab test and treated with antibiotics. If left untreated, it can lead to more serious long-term health problems and infertility.

Symptoms of Gonorrhoea

Symptoms of gonorrhoea usually show up within two weeks of being infected. But sometimes symptoms may not appear until many months later, or until the infection has spread to other parts of your body.

About one in 10 infected men and half of infected women will not experience any obvious symptoms after contracting gonorrhoea, which means it can go untreated for some time.

Women

In women, symptoms of gonorrhoea can include:

* an unusual discharge from the vagina, which may be thick, and green or yellow in colour
* pain when passing urine
* pain or tenderness in the lower abdominal area (this is less common)
* bleeding between periods or heavier periods (this is less common)

Men

Nine out of 10 men who contract gonorrhoea experience symptoms after they are infected, which can include:

* an unusual discharge from the tip of the penis, which may be white, yellow or green
* pain or a burning sensation when urinating
* inflammation (swelling) of the foreskin
* pain or tenderness in the testicles or prostate gland (this is rare)

Men and women

Both men and women can also catch gonorrhoea at other sites of the body. These include:

* infection in the rectum, which may cause pain, discomfort or discharge
* infection in the throat, which does not usually have any symptoms
* infection in the eyes, which can cause pain, swelling, irritation and discharge (conjunctivitis)

Babies

Gonorrhoea can be passed from a mother to her baby during childbirth. Newborn babies normally show symptoms in their eyes during the first two weeks. The eyes become red and swollen, and have a thick pus-like discharge (conjunctivitis).

Gonorrhoea can be treated with antibiotics when you are pregnant or when you are breastfeeding. The antibiotics will not harm your baby.


To learn more about Gonorrhoea it’s Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Complications and Prevention please visit the NHS website by clicking HERE