Gonorrhoea: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

The bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the source of the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea.

Usually, it affects warm, moist areas of the body like the:

vaginal cavity, throat, urethra, anus, and cervix

How Gonorrhea is Transmitted

Without a barrier method, gonorrhea is almost always spread from person to person through anal, vaginal, or oral sex.

The virus can also be spread from a pregnant woman to her unborn child.

If you're pregnant and suspect you have gonorrhoea, it's critical to get diagnosed and treated before your baby is delivered.

Without treatment, gonorrhoea can cause lifelong blindness in a newborn kid.

These things don't lead to gonorrhea

Embracing, kissing, using public restrooms, exchanging towels, cups, or cutlery are not ways to spread gonorrhea.

The bacterium can't last very long outside the human body.

Symptoms of Gonorrhea

After exposure, symptoms typically start 2 to 14 days later, with the majority showing up between 4 and 6 days later.

Most gonorrhea patients have no symptoms, but some do.

Female

1. Vaginal leaking
2. Sex-related discomfort 3. lower abdominal pain
3. Urination that causes a burning sensation
4. Throat pain
5. Longer or more frequent periods

Male

1. An expulsion from the penis
2. Urination that causes a burning sensation
3. Tongue painful
4. A discharge of pus
5. Frequent and urgent urination

The risk of complications is decreased with early gonorrhea diagnosis and treatment.

Diagnosis of gonorrhea

A medical expert can diagnose gonorrhea in several ways:

1. Urine analysis: A urine test can often reveal gonorrhea.

2. Blood analysis: A blood test may be used by a healthcare provider to identify gonorrhea in rare cases. This test, however, may not be definitive.

3. Putting a fluid sample to the test: A healthcare provider may also swab your penis, vagina, mouth, or rectum to get a fluid sample for testing.

A laboratory culture is required for this type of test, which can take several days.

Individuals should also get tested for syphilis, HIV, and chlamydia in addition to gonorrhea. With gonorrhea, the risk of these infections increases.

Complications of Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea that is left untreated might result in serious problems like:

1. Female infertility

Gonorrhea has been linked to pelvic inflammatory illness, which can extend to the uterus and fallopian tubes (PID).

PID increases the risk of pregnancy problems, scarring of the fallopian tubes, and infertility.

PID needs to be treated right away.

2. Male infertility

The epididymis, a small, coiled tube that houses the sperm ducts in the back of the testicles, can become inflamed as a result of gonorrhea (epididymitis).

Epididymitis that is left untreated can cause infertility.

3. Complications in newborns

Babies that get gonorrhea from their moms during childbirth can develop blindness, scalp sores, and infections.

4. increased likelihood of contracting HIV/AIDS

Your risk of contracting the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS, increases if you have gonorrhea.

5. Gonorrhea can permanently harm the eyes, joints, heart, or brain if it is not treated.

How is gonorrhoea treated?

Antibiotics are frequently used to treat gonorrhea.

injection of 250 mg of ceftriaxone intramuscularly and 1 gram of oral azithromycin in one dosage.

Other antibiotics can, however, be used to treat gonorrhea as well.

Numerous antibiotics have been ineffective against Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

If there is no improvement after a few days of treatment, speak with your doctor.

Even if, it is advised that sexual partners of an infected individual undergo testing and treatment.

Prior to seven days following the end of therapy and until tests reveal you are cured, it is crucial to refrain from having intercourse, even with a condom.

prevention of Gonorrhea

1. The best way to lower your risk of gonorrhea is to abstain from sexual activity.

2. Always use water-based lubricant condoms When having sex.

3. Have your partner and you tested for sexually transmitted infections.

4. Routine checkups for gonorrhea