Gonorrhea is a sexually-transmitted infection (STI) that can cause infection in the genitals, rectum, and throat. It is transmitted by having sex (anal, vaginal or oral) with someone who has the disease. It can still be transmitted via fluids even if a man does not ejaculate. Gonorrhea can be spread from an untreated mother to her baby during childbirth. It is a very common STI that can affect any sexually active person, especially among young people ages 15-24 years.
Gonorrhea often has no symptoms, but it can cause serious health problems, even without symptoms.
Symptoms in womenMost women with gonorrhea do not have any symptoms. Even when a woman has symptoms, they are often mild and can be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection.
Symptoms in men
Symptoms from rectal infectionsRectal infections may either cause no symptoms or cause symptoms in both men and women.
Most of the time, a urine test can be used to test for gonorrhea. However, if a person has had oral and/or anal sex, swabs may be used to collect samples from the throat and/or rectum. In some cases, a swab may be used to collect a sample from a man's urethra (urine canal) or a woman's cervix (opening to the womb).Anyone who is sexually active should discuss their risk factors with a health care provider and ask whether they should be tested for gonorrhea or other STDs. Anyone with genital symptoms such as discharge, burning during urination, unusual sores, or rash should stop having sex and see a health care provider immediately. CDC recommends gonorrhea screening of all sexually active women age 25 or younger and older women with increased risk, as well as screening of pregnant women in specific groups.Call the HIV/STD Hotline 1-800-243-2437 to learn about a testing location near you.
It is becoming harder to treat some gonorrhea, as drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea are increasing.
Gonorrhea can be cured with the right treatment for a person and their partner(s). CDC recommends dual therapy (i.e., using two drugs) for the treatment of gonorrhea. It is important to take all of the medication prescribed to cure gonorrhea. Medication for gonorrhea should not be shared with anyone. Although medication will stop the infection, it will not repair any permanent damage done by the disease. A person with gonorrhea (and their partner) should wait seven days after finishing all medicine, and no longer have symptoms, before having sex.
Return to a healthcare provider if your symptoms continue for more than a few days after receiving treatment. You can still get gonorrhea again even if you receive appropriate treatment.
The only way to completely avoid Gonorrhea and other STIs is to not have vaginal, anal, or oral sex.If you are sexually active, the following things can lower your chances of getting gonorrhea:
