The bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the source of the sexually transmitted infection (STI) known as gonorrhoea.

This typical STI frequently affects warm, wet parts of the body, such as the:

• The urethra or tube, is responsible for eliminating urine from the bladder.
• Vagina
• Anus
• Fallopian tubes, cervix and uterus make up the female reproductive tract.

People of any age or gender can have gonorrhoea, although those between the ages of 15 and 24 are the most frequently affected.

Gonorrhoea that is left untreated can cause long-term health issues and in some cases, infertility. However, antibiotic therapy can eliminate the infection and lessen your risk of developing health issues.

Signs and symptoms of gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea infection may have no symptoms initially. However, while symptoms can occur everywhere in your body, they frequently manifest in the genital tract.

Genital tract gonorrhoea

Men who have gonorrhoea may experience the following signs and symptoms:

• Urination that hurts
• A pus-like discharge coming from the penis’s tip
• One testicle may be painful or swollen

Women who have gonorrhoea may have the following signs and symptoms:

• Increased vulvar leaking
• Urination that hurts
• Bleeding from the cervix after sex or even randomly between periods
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Lower backache

Gonorrhea has progressively developed resistance to the antibiotic drugs prescribed to treat it. If you’ve been treated for gonorrhea and don’t get better, you may be retested to see if there is resistance to the antibiotic you took. Chances are that you may respond to another antibiotic, so completing the treatment is very essential.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.

Other body sites experiencing gonorrhoea

These body areas are also susceptible to gonorrhoea:

• Rectum: Anal irritation, rectal discharge that looks like pus, specks of bright red blood on toilet paper and needing to strain during bowel movements are all indications and symptoms of this condition. Itching and painful defecation can also occur.
• Eyes: Eye pain, sensitivity to light and pus-like discharge from one or both eyes can all be symptoms of gonorrhoea that affect the eyes.
• Throat: A sore throat and swollen lymph nodes in the neck are possible indicators of a throat infection.
• Joints: The affected joints may be heated, red, swollen and exceedingly painful, especially when moving, if one or more joints have a bacterial infection (septic arthritis).
• Skin: Disseminated gonococcal infection may occur and red flat and bumpy rashes occur on the whole body, including the palm and soles. It usually spares the face.

How does gonorrhoea spread?

Having oral, anal or vaginal sex can result in gonorrhoea infection or transmission.

When having intercourse, using a condom or another barrier device can significantly reduce your risk of developing or spreading STIs like gonorrhoea. Just bear in mind that, especially if you misuse these barrier measures, they may not always entirely reduce your risk.

During vaginal delivery, gonorrhoea can potentially be passed from the mother (if infected) to the child.

Risk factors

Men who have sex with men and sexually active people u are more likely to contract gonorrhoea.

Additional elements that could raise your risk include:

• Acquiring a new mate
• Being with a partner for sex who has several partners
• Having multiple sexual partners
• Being gonorrhoea or another sexually transmitted disease sufferer

Gonorrhoea treatment

In most cases, gonorrhoea can be cured with modern medications.

Home cures or over-the-counter medications cannot be used to treat gonorrhoea. You must seek a medical professional’s diagnosis and treatment if you suspect you may have gonorrhoea or if a sexual partner has a positive test result.

Lower your risk

• Use a condom if you have sex to lower your risk of contracting gonorrhoea. The best strategy to avoid contracting gonorrhoea is to avoid having intercourse with an infected person. But if you do decide to engage in sexual activity, use a condom for all forms of sex, including anal oral and vaginal.
• You can reduce your risk by being in a monogamous relationship where neither spouse has sex with anybody else.
• Make sure to get STI testing done for both you and your companion. Get tested and discuss the results with each other prior to having sex.
• Don’t engage in sexual activity with a person who seems to have an STD. Don’t engage in sexual activity with a partner who exhibits indications or symptoms of an STD, such as burning while urinating or a genital rash or sore.
• Think about routine gonorrhoea testing. For older women at increased risk of infection and for sexually active women under the age of 25, annual screening is advised. This applies to women who have a new partner, multiple partners, partners with other partners or a partner who is infected with an STD.

Males who have sex with other men, as well as their partners, should undergo routine screening.

Also Read: Why Does Sperm Make Me Smell Fishy? Probing Into Sexual Health Mysteries

Conclusion

You should get tested right away if you suspect you may have contracted gonorrhoea. Remember that this infection is fairly common and is nothing to be ashamed about.

By employing barrier measures for any sexual activity, undergoing routine STI testing and discussing STIs with your partner(s) before beginning a sexual connection, you can take precautions to prevent spreading or catching gonorrhoea.

Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.