Gonorrhea: Frequently Asked Questions
What is gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is caused by the gonococcus, a bacterium that grows and multiplies quickly in moist, warm areas of the body such as the cervix, urethra, mouth, or rectum. In women, the cervix is the most common site of infection. However, the disease can spread to the uterus (womb) and fallopian tubes, resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID); this can cause infertility and ectopic (tubal) pregnancy. ...
Source: www.coloradoobgyn.com
Gonorrhea, a bacterial disease, is spread through sexual activity. The bacteria which causes gonorrhea grows in warm moist areas of the reproductive tract, including the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes in women; and in the urethra in women and men. The bacteria can also grow in the mouth, throat and anus.
Source: www.monroecounty.gov
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae , a bacterium that can grow and multiply easily in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, including the cervix (opening to the womb), uterus (womb), and fallopian tubes (egg canals) in women, and in the urethra (urine canal) in women and men. The bacterium can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes, and anus.
Source: www.medhelp.org
Is there a cure for gonorrhea?
Yes, antibiotics are used to kill the germs. But, while medicines can cure the disease, they can not repair any damage that may have already been done to the body. That's why it is important to start treatment as quickly as possible. It is important to take all of the medicine prescribed to cure gonorrhea, even if the symptoms stop before all the medication is gone.
Source: www.monroecounty.gov
Are there tests for gonorrhea?
Yes. There are three types of tests for gonorrhea: Swab sample. A swab sample from the part of the body likely to be infected (cervix, urethra, penis, rectum, or throat) can be sent to a lab for testing. Urine test. Gonorrhea in the cervix or urethra can be diagnosed with a urine sample sent to a lab. Gram stain. This is done right in a clinic or doctor's office. A sample from the urethra or a cervix is placed on a slide and stained with dye. It allows the doctor to see the bacteria under a microscope. ...
Source: 4woman.net
What is the treatment for gonorrhea?
Several antibiotics can cure gonorrhea. However, drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea are increasing and successful treatment of gonorrhea is becoming more difficult. More information on treating gonorrhea is available on the Symptoms and Treatment
Ampicillin, amoxicillin, or some type of penicillin used to be recommended for the treatment of gonorrhea. Because penicillin-resistant gonorrhea is increasing, other antibiotics that are given by injection such as ceftriazone or spectinomycin now are used to treat most gonoccal infections. Other new antibiotics can be taken by mouth. Gonorrhea often occurs together with chlamydial infection, another common sexually transmitted disease (STD). ...
Source: www.coloradoobgyn.com
Several antibiotics can successfully cure gonorrhea in adolescents and adults. However, drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea are increasing in many areas of the world, including the United States, and successful treatment of gonorrhea is becoming more difficult. Because many people with gonorrhea also have chlamydia, another STD, antibiotics for both infections are usually given together. Persons with gonorrhea should be tested for other STDs. It is important to take all of the medication prescribed to cure gonorrhea. ...
Source: www.medhelp.org
How is gonorrhea diagnosed?
Several laboratory tests are used to diagnose gonorrhea. Some can be performed on urine; other tests require a sample be collected from a site such as the cervix, urethra, rectum, or throat. More information is available on the Symptoms and Treatment
Several laboratory tests are available to diagnose gonorrhea. A doctor or nurse can obtain a sample for testing from the parts of the body likely to be infected (cervix, urethra, rectum, or throat) and send the sample to a laboratory for analysis. Gonorrhea that is present in the cervix or urethra can be diagnosed in a laboratory by testing a urine sample. A quick laboratory test for gonorrhea that can be done in some clinics or doctor’s offices is a Gram stain. ...
Source: www.medhelp.org
What are the symptoms of gonorrhea?
Many people with gonorrhea do not have any symptoms at all. In women, the symptoms of gonorrhea are often mild, and are sometimes mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. For more detailed information on gonorrhea symptoms, visit the Symptoms and Treatment
The early symptoms of gonorrhea often are mild, and most women who are infected have no symptoms of the disease. If symptoms of gonorrhea develop, they usually appear within 2 to 10 days after sexual contact with an infected partner, although a small percentage of patients may be infected for several months without showing symptoms. The initial symptoms in women include a painful or burning sensation when urinating or an abnormal vaginal discharge. ...
Source: www.coloradoobgyn.com
Most women who have gonorrhea have no symptoms . When a woman does have symptoms, they most often appear within 10 days of getting the STD. A woman may have these symptoms: Pain or burning when passing urine Vaginal discharge that is yellow or sometimes bloody Bleeding between menstrual periods Heavy bleeding with periods Pain during sex Any genital symptoms such as discharge, burning during urination, or pain during sex should be a signal to stop having sex and to see a doctor right away. ...
Source: 4woman.net
Who gets gonorrhea?
Anyone who has sex can get gonorrhea. In the United States, the highest reported rates of infection are among teenagers, young adults, and African Americans who have sex.
How common is gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is a very common infectious disease. In the United States, about 700,000 people get gonorrhea each year.
Gonorrhea is a very common infectious disease. CDC estimates that more than 700,000 persons in the U.S. get new gonorrheal infections each year. Only about half of these infections are reported to CDC. In 2006, 358,366 cases of gonorrhea were reported to CDC. In the period from 1975 to 1997, the national gonorrhea rate declined, following the implementation of the national gonorrhea control program in the mid-1970s. ...
Source: www.medhelp.org
How can gonorrhea be prevented?
The best way to avoid spreading STDs is to not have sex, or to have sex with only one partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected. If used correctly every time, latex male condoms can reduce the risk of spreading of gonorrhea. To learn more about preventing gonorrhea, visit the Prevention
Who is at risk for gonorrhea?
Any sexually active person can be infected with gonorrhea. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the highest rates of infection are usually found in people under the age of thirty. Gonorrhea is spread through sexual contact with an infected person.
Source: www.monroecounty.gov
Any sexually active person can be infected with gonorrhea. In the United States, the highest reported rates of infection are among sexually active teenagers, young adults, and African Americans.
Source: www.medhelp.org
What are the signs and symptoms of gonorrhea?
When initially infected, the majority of men have some signs or symptoms, including a burning sensation when urinating and a yellowish white discharge from the penis. Sometimes men with gonorrhea develop painful or swollen testicles. In women, the early symptoms of gonorrhea are often mild, and many women who are infected have no symptoms. The initial symptoms in women include a painful or burning sensation when urinating and a vaginal discharge that is yellow or occasionally bloody. ...
Source: www.monroecounty.gov
What are the complications of gonorrhea?
Untreated gonorrhea can cause serious and permanent health problems in both women and men. In women, gonorrhea is a common cause of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). About one million women each year in the United States develop PID. The symptoms may be quite mild or can be very severe and can include abdominal pain and fever. PID can lead to internal abscesses (pus-filled “pockets” that are hard to cure) and long-lasting, chronic pelvic pain. ...
Source: www.medhelp.org
How is gonorrhea transmitted?
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that can be transmitted through oral, anal, or vaginal sex with an infected partner. Gonorrhea can be passed even if the tongue or penis doesn't go all the way into the mouth, vagina, or rectum and even if no blood, semen, or vaginal secretions are exchanged. Latex condoms are recommended to help reduce the likelihood of transmission and are most effective if they are used from the very beginning of any contact until the very end. For more information about gonorrhea, click here.
Source: www.dphhs.mt.gov
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that can be transmitted through oral, anal, or vaginal sex with an infected partner. Gonorrhea can be passed even if the tongue or penis doesn't go all the way into the mouth, vagina, or rectum and even if no blood, semen, or vaginal secretions are exchanged. Latex condoms are recommended to help reduce the likelihood of transmission and are most effective if they are used from the very beginning of any contact until the very end.
Source: www.dphhs.mt.gov
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that can be transmitted through oral, anal, or vaginal sex with an infected partner. If the vagina, cervix, anus, penis or mouth comes in contact with infected secretions or fluids, then transmission is possible. Latex condoms are recommended to help reduce the likelihood of transmission and are most effective if they are used from the very beginning of any contact until the very end. More information about gonorrhea
Source: healthvermont.gov
How is gonorrhea treated?
Antibiotics are used to cure gonorrhea. Many people who have gonorrhea also have another STD called chlamydia. Doctors often give a combination of antibiotics to treat both STDs. Finish all the medicine that you are prescribed by your doctor. Even if the symptoms go away, you still need to finish all of the medicine. If symptoms continue after receiving treatment, see your doctor. Although antibiotics can cure the infection, they do not repair any permanent damage done by the disease. ...
Source: 4woman.net
What health problems are caused by gonorrhea?
Untreated gonorrhea can cause serious and permanent health problems in both women and men. For more information on the health problems caused by gonorrhea, visit the Symptoms and Treatment
How do people get gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is spread through contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus. Ejaculation does not have to occur to get or give gonorrhea. Gonorrhea can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby during delivery. Having gonorrhea does not mean a person can’t get gonorrhea again.
What is the risk of gonorrhea to a pregnant woman?
An infected woman who is pregnant may give the infection to her infant as the baby passes through the birth canal during delivery. Most states require that the eyes of newborns be treated with silver nitrate or other medication immediately after birth to prevent gonococcal infection of the eyes, which can lead to blindness. Because of the risk of gonococcal infection to both mother and child, doctors recommend that a pregnant woman have at least one test for gonorrhea during her pregnancy. ...
Source: www.coloradoobgyn.com
What complications of gonorrhea may occur?
If gonorrhea is not treated, the bacteria can spread to the bloodstream and infect the joints, heart valves, or the brain. The most common consequence of gonorrhea, however, is PID, a serious infection of the female reproductive organs that occurs in an estimated 1 million American women each year. PID can scar or damage cells lining the fallopian tubes, resulting in infertility in as many as 10 percent of women affected. In others, the damage prevents the proper passage of the fertilized egg into the uterus. ...
Source: www.coloradoobgyn.com
What are some preventive measures for gonorrhea?
Because gonorrhea is highly contagious and yet may cause no symptoms, all men and women who have sexual contact with more than one partner should be tested regularly for the disease. Using condoms (rubbers) during sexual intercourse is very effective in preventing the spread of infection. Diaphragms may also reduce the risk of transmission. Constant awareness and precautions are necessary because a person who has once contracted the disease does not become immune--many people acquire gonorrhea more than once. ...
Source: www.coloradoobgyn.com
