Gonorrhoea

What is Gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection that is typically found in sperm and vaginal fluids. If not dealt with soon, it can lead to further health problems. It can be contracted through sexual intercourse, anal and oral sex, and can also be passed on by a pregnant mother to her baby. Signs of infection can be located in the cervix, rectum and eyes.

Symptoms of Gonorrhoea

Symptoms can appear within fourteen days of infection, or may take a few months. For men, symptoms include a white secretion from the penis, inflammation of the foreskin, discomfort when urinating and testicular pain. For women, symptoms include a watery secretion from the vaginal area, some bleeding between periods, abdominal cramps and discomfort when urinating. There may also be an irritation to the eye.

What treatment is available for Gonorrhoea?

Testing involves a urinary test and the use of a swab to acquire samples from infected areas, whether it is the vagina, penis or anus. Your eyes may also need to be tested. Antibiotics will often clear the infection and your partner should also be tested. There is a chance antibiotics may affect the working of the contraceptive patch and pill.

If you leave it…

If you do not receive treatment, then it can lead to further health problems such as infertility. For women, it can also cause the tube carrying the egg to the womb to become blocked. For men, it can cause problems with the testicles and prostate gland. In rare cases, it can also affect the brain and spinal cord.

Related Article

• STIs
• Health-screening
• Thrush
• Chlamydia
• Genital Herpes
• Genital Warts
• Pubic lice
• Gonorrhoea
• Scabies
• Syphilis
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) & Aids
• Trichomonas Vaginalis