What is Gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is an infectious sexually transmitted disease that affects primarily the mucous membrane of the genital tract, the urinary tract, the rectum and sometimes the eyes. This disease is caused by a bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Most cases occur in the age group of 15 - 25 years, but you can contract it at any age. Discharges from the involved mucous membranes are the source of the infection. The bacteria are transmitted by direct sexual contact.

Gonorrhea may affect as many as 2 million people each year in the United States alone. The problem with gonorrhea is that many infections may be asymptomatic.

Symptoms

In MALES: usually suffer inflammation of the urethra with pus and painful urination. Gonorrhea can spread to the epididymis (the structure attached to the testicle that helps transport sperm). This can create scar tissue which can cause a man to become sterile.

In FEMALES: infection may occur in the vagina, the urethra, the cervix, or the throat. Many females will have symptoms of a discharge of pus from the vagina, Some women (about one half) will have no symptoms at all until the disease has progressed to a more advanced stage. If the fallopian tubes become involved, the infection becomes very serious. Without treatment, a woman with gonorrhea can develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can leave her infertile.

In BOTH young men and young women, gonorrhea can cause a fever and painful joints.

ALSO, there are many people who have the infection who are not symptomatic.

Two to seven days, sometimes longer.

Gonorrhea rates among adults have declined over the past ten years, while rates among adolescents have remained unchanged or some say have risen. Teenage females between the ages of 15 - 20 have the highest rates of gonorrhea, according to the Center for Diseases Control. Getting tested is very important if you are sexually active. Gonorrhea can be treated and cured with the correct antibiotics from your health care provider. If you test positive for gonorrhea, any one you had sex with needs to be notified and tested.

Don't panic, gonorrhea can be cured if you take your medication as directed by your health care provider.