Diseases & Conditions

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted bacterium that can infect men and women. Gonorrhea can affect the urethra, rectum and throat of both men and women. In women, gonorrhea can also infect the cervix.

Most people contract gonorrhea during sex. But pregnant women with gonorrhea can also pass the bacterium onto their babies. In babies, gonorrhea most commonly affects the eyes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts that about 700,000 people contract gonorrhea each year in the United States. Many don't know they have gonorrhea. You can protect yourself from gonorrhea by abstaining from sex or by using a condom if you choose to have sex.

Signs and symptoms of gonorrhea that affects the urethra in men include:

• Painful urination
• Pus-like discharge from the tip of the penis
• Pain or swelling in one testicle

Signs and symptoms of gonorrhea that affects the cervix or urethra in women include:

• Increased vaginal discharge
• Painful urination
• Vaginal bleeding between periods, such as after vaginal intercourse
• Abdominal pain
• Pelvic pain

Signs and symptoms of gonorrhea that affects the rectum include:

• Anal itching
• Pus-like discharge from the rectum
• Spots of bright red blood on toilet tissue
• Straining to have a bowel movement

Signs and symptoms of gonorrhea that affects the eye include:

• Eye pain
• Pus-like discharge from the eye
• Sensitivity to light

Signs and symptoms of gonorrhea that affects the throat include:

• Sore throat
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck

When to see your doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any troubling signs or symptoms, such as a burning sensation when you urinate or a pus-like discharge from your penis, vagina or rectum.

Also make an appointment with your doctor if your partner has been diagnosed with gonorrhea. You may not experience signs or symptoms that prompt you to seek medical attention. But without treatment, you can reinfect your partner even after he or she has been treated for gonorrhea.

Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The gonorrhea bacteria are most often passed from one person to another during sexual contact, including oral, anal or vaginal intercourse.

To determine whether the gonorrhea bacterium is present in your body, your doctor will analyze a sample of cells. Samples can be collected by:

• Urine test. This may help identify bacteria in your urethra.
• Swab of affected area. A swab of your throat, urethra, vagina or rectum may collect bacteria that can be identified in a laboratory.

Testing for other sexually transmitted diseases
People with gonorrhea have an increased risk of other sexually transmitted diseases, so your doctor may recommend testing for these. That way, your doctor may treat other infections at the same time as you receive gonorrhea treatment. For instance, chlamydia and gonorrhea often occur at the same time.

Gonorrhea treatment in adults
Adults with gonorrhea are treated with antibiotics. You typically receive treatment as an injection or as a single tablet you take by mouth.

Gonorrhea treatment for partners
Your partner also should undergo testing and treatment for gonorrhea, even if he or she has no signs or symptoms. Your partner receives the same treatment you do for gonorrhea. Even if you've been treated for gonorrhea, you can be reinfected if your partner isn't treated.

Gonorrhea treatment for babies
Babies born to mothers with gonorrhea receive a medication in their eyes soon after birth to prevent infection. If an eye infection develops, babies can be treated with antibiotics.