Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection. It is also known by the popular names clap, drip, dose, and strain.
(Last reviewed February 24, 2008)
What causes gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is caused by a bacteria. The infection is transmitted during sex. The bacteria can enter the body through any body opening, such as the mouth, vagina, penis, or rectum.
(Last reviewed February 24, 2008)
What are the symptoms of gonorrhea?
Not everyone infected with gonorrhea will have symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they usually appear 2 to 10 days after exposure to the disease. Symptoms of gonorrhea include:
After your doctor takes a history of your symptoms and general medical history, he or she will do a pelvic exam. A culture will be taken with a cotton swab from your cervix or a test of your urine will be done to check for gonorrhea.
(last reviewed February 24, 2008)
How is gonorrhea treated?
Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics. They are usually given as a shot. It is not uncommon to be infected with chlamydia together with gonorrhea. When this happens, you will need antibiotics for chlamydia as well.
(Last reviewed February 24, 2008)
Does my partner also need to be treated if I test positive for gonorrhea?
Absolutely yes. Even if he or she has no symptoms and has not been tested, your partner needs to be treated for gonorrhea before you resume having sex with him or her.
(last reviewed February 24, 2008)
How long will the infection with gonorrhea last?
In mild cases, such as when only the cervix is infected, proper treatment should clear up the infection in about 10 days.
However, if it is more severe, it may take longer before you get rid of the infection. How long it takes to get rid of the infection depends on:
how long you have had gonorrhea
how much the infection has spread
if you have had gonorrhea before.
(last reviewed February 24, 2008)
What could happen if I don't get treated for gonorrhea?
If not treated, gonorrhea in women can spread through the uterus and fallopian tubes and into the pelvis. This could cause a severe infection called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can cause infertility, as well as increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy.
In worse cases, untreated gonorrhea can spread into the bloodstream and to other parts of the body, such as the joints, where it can cause pain and swelling (arthritis).
(last reviewed February 24, 2008)
How can I protect myself from getting gonorrhea?
It is very important to practice safe sex. If you do have gonorrhea, it is extremely important to tell everyone that you have had sex with in the last three months so that they can get treated as well. Do not have sex with your partner again until he or she has been treated fro gonorrhea. Keep the following precautions to protect yourself and others:
Always use condoms during foreplay and vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
Have just 1 sexual partner who is faithful to you only. If you have a new partner, make sure he or she been tested for gonorrhea and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Even if you don't have symptoms but have had unprotected sex (without a condom), see your doctor to get tested. Remember that many infected people do not have any symptoms.
If you have been sexually assaulted and are at risk for having been infected with gonorrhea, you should be treated.
