GONORRHEA

What causes Gonorrhea?

Dr.Joe's Data Base

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* Gonorrhea is an infection caused by a bacterium called Neisseria
gonorrhea.
* This bacterium is also known as "the clap".
* Neisseria gonorrhea is found in moist area of the body such as the
vagina, penis, throat, eye and rectum.

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How do you get it?

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* It is possible to get gonorrhea through contact with someone who is
infected in these areas:
o vagina
o penis
o throat
o eye
o rectum
* You can also self-infect. This means that if you have the infection
say on your genitals and you rub or scratch them and then you touch
your eye, your eye will then get infected.
* One can acquire gonorrhea easily from:
o penis to vagina sex
o penis to mouth "oral" sex
o penis to rectum "anal" sex
o mouth to vagina contact
* A baby can get it from an infected mother during birth.
* Very rarely, gonorrhea can be transmitted through kissing (if there is
a cut on the lip or some other opening that comes in contact)

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Who gets it?

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* Any sexually active person can get gonorrhea.
* But, it is more common in younger people (ages 15-30) and people from
urban areas.

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What happens to me if I get this?

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* What happens in men?
o yellow pus-like discharge from the urethra which one sees at the
tip of the penis
o stinging sensation during urination
o Urinate more often, and there may be blood in the urine
o Many times, the glands in the groin swell, and the head of the
penis may turn red.
o BUT, about 20% of infected men do not feel anything and can still
have the infection.
* What happens in women?
o Most infected women do not feel anything.
o If they do see something, it is usually:
+ vaginal discharge
+ irritation of the external vagina
+ burning sensation during urination
+ abnormal menstrual bleeding
* What happens in both men and women?
o If the infection is in the throat or anus, there may be:
+ pain
+ itching
+ soreness
+ redness
+ and discharge in the areas affected.

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How long do you get it for?

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* It may be one day to two weeks before one feels something and then can
last as long as it is left untreated.
* BUT, some may not even feel anything at all and the infection will
stay there until it is treated.
* It will not go away if left untreated; the infection will simply lead
to more harmful and irreversible complications.

How can I prevent it?

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* A condom should be used during any type of sexual activity.
* The number of different sex partners should be kept to a minimum.
* Finally, if you think you are infected, sexual contact with anyone
should be avoided and you should visit a STD clinic, hospital or see
your doctor.

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How does the doctor test for this?

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* In the area of possible infection, a bacterial culture test can be
used in to test for gonorrhea

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How is it treated?

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* Treatment is based on the sex, age, and affected area.
* Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics.
* The current antibiotics available are:
o ceftriaxone
o cefuroxime
o doxycycline
o TMP/SMX
o ciprofloxacin
* Gonorrhea is treatable but it is becoming more resistant to penicillin
which was previously used.

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What happens to me in the long run?

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* If gonorrhea is left untreated, the disease may ultimately lead to
infertility for both men and women.
o In women
+ the infection can spread to the fallopian tubes, uterus, and
ovaries and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a major
cause of infertility
o In men
+ the infection may move into the prostate gland, seminal
vesicles, and epididymis, causing severe pain and fever.
+ Rarely, gonorrhea can lead to septic arthritis in men.
* Gonorrhea in the eye can lead to blindness.
* If gonorrhea gets in the blood, the entire body becomes infected,
which is called "disseminated gonorrhea."

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