Gonorrhoea - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention

What is Gonorrhea?

Gonorrhoea is caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). It infects both men and women of any age, but it is more prevalent in the young population between the ages of 15 and 24. The organs most commonly affected by Gonorrhea include the urethra, throat, eyes, anus, female reproductive organs, and penis.

You can get Gonorrhea infection from any kind of sexual contact with an infected partner. Many individuals infected with Gonorrhea may not exhibit any symptoms, but they can still transmit the infection to their partner. If detected early, Gonorrhea infection can be easily cured, but if left untreated, it can cause severe complications which can be difficult to treat.

What are The Symptoms of Gonorrhea?

Gonorrhoea may cause no or only mild symptoms in several cases. However, if you notice any of the following symptoms, you must consult a physician to rule out Gonorrhea.

Symptoms in Women

1. Pain or a burning sensation while urinating
2. Greenish or yellowish vaginal discharge
3. Painful sexual intercourse
4. Lower abdominal pain
5. Intermittent bleeding between periods
6. Heavy menstrual bleeding

Symptoms in Men

1. Pain or a burning sensation while urinating
2. Testicular pain and inflammation
3. Greenish, white, or yellow discharge from the penis.

If the infection spreads to the anus, it can cause pain and redness of the anus, bleeding or discharge from the anus, and cause pain while defecating. If the throat gets infected with Gonorrhea, the patient can experience the symptoms of a sore throat, redness in the throat, or swollen lymph nodes around the neck. When passed on to the eyes, Gonorrhea causes conjunctivitis. Gonorrhoea can also affect the joints, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness.

What are The Complications of Gonorrhea Infection?

If left untreated, Gonorrhea can cause severe, long-term complications which are difficult to treat. Some of the common complications include:

1. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
2. Female infertility
3. Ectopic pregnancy
4. Male infertility
5. Septic arthritis
6. Increased risk of HIV and other STDs
7. Neonatal infection from the mother

How is Gonorrhea Transmitted?

Gonorrhoea infection spreads through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex. It can spread by mere contact with the vagina, penis, or anus of an infected person.

It is usually not spread through casual touching, kissing, or sharing utensils, towels, or toilet seats with an infected person.

Gonorrhoea can be transmitted from an infected pregnant mother to the newborn during vaginal delivery. A cesarean section can help prevent this transmission. Thus, if you are pregnant, you must inform your obstetrician or gynaecologist if you have an active Gonorrhea infection or have a history of Gonorrhea.

How is Gonorrhea Treated?

Since gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection, antibiotics are used for its treatment. The most common antibiotics used for Gonorrhea treatment include azithromycin, doxycycline, and ceftriaxone. Because of the increased prevalence of antibiotic-resistant strains of Gonorrhea, a combination of antibiotics (dual antibiotic therapy) is generally preferred.

It is not recommended to self-treat Gonorrhea infection by taking over-the-counter medications or someone else’s prescription antibiotics because it increases the risk of antibiotic resistance and may make it difficult to cure the infection.

Is It Necessary For The Partner to Also Take Treatment for Gonorrhea?

If you are diagnosed with Gonorrhea, your sexual partner should also be tested and treated even if they show no symptoms as there are very high chances that your partner is also infected. Generally, the same treatment is given to the partner also. If your partner remains untreated, they can again infect you even after you have been treated for Gonorrhea. So, both partners need to be treated.

After completion of the course of antibiotics, both partners should follow up with the physician who will confirm that the infection is cured and that it is safe to resume sexual activity.

How is Gonorrhea Diagnosed?

Urine tests and lab cultures are the two most common methods used for Gonorrhea diagnosis.

1. Lab Culture: A fluid sample is taken with the help of a swab from the suspected area of infection, which can be the vagina, tip of the penis, rectum, or throat, and is cultured in the lab. If the culture grows Gonorrhea bacteria, then the test is said to be positive. It takes two to three days for the culture results to come.

1. Urine Test: A sample of urine may be collected for the detection of Gonorrhea infection in the urethra. This is the preferred method for males and may not be the best choice for women as it may not give accurate results in them. It is advisable not to urinate for at least two hours before the sample collection to prevent the chances of bacteria getting flushed out and remaining undetected.

Who Should Get Tested For Gonorrhea?

Gonorrhoea testing is recommended in the following cases:

• If you have any of the symptoms suggestive of Gonorrhea like pain, bleeding, discharge, swelling, etc., involving the genital area
• If your sexual partner has been diagnosed with Gonorrhea
• Pregnant women must get tested for Gonorrhea to prevent infecting their baby
• You can get tested for Gonorrhea even as routine screening, especially if you have a history of any STDs.

How Can Gonorrhea Be Prevented?

Abstaining from sex is the only definitive prevention for any STD, including Gonorrhea. But if you are sexually active, practice the following precautions to prevent Gonorrhea:

• Avoid any kind of sexual contact if you know that your partner has Gonorrhea.
• Always use condoms during sexual intercourse.
• Get regularly screened for Gonorrhea infection.

Conclusion

Symptoms of Gonorrhea overlap with the symptoms of other sexually transmitted infections. Thus, laboratory testing is the only way to a definitive diagnosis of Gonorrhea. If you have any symptoms, get yourself tested at a certified, well-equipped, and trusted laboratory. 

You can book your Gonorrhea test at Metropolis Healthcare for fast and accurate results.