So…what’s gonorrhea anyways?
Gonorrhea is a bacterium, the Gonococcus, that causes an infection of the genitals. The most recognizable symptom is an intense burning sensation while you pee… It’s like suddenly you might want to bring a fire extinguisher with you to the bathroom!
It is a less common STI that the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection or Chlamydia.
It can cause an infection of the cervix in women, and in men and women, of the throat, urethra (where you pee), and anus.
How is gonorrhea detected, treated and prevented?
For many teens, Gonorrhea causes no symptoms (up to 80% of girls). Once again it is important that you take precautions because even if there are no symptoms, the infection is transmissible.
If there are symptoms, they will appear from 3 to 5 days after being infected.
Signs to watch out for…
For Women :
- New or different vaginal discharge
- Burning sensation when urinating (when you pee), more frequent need to pee
- Lower abdominal pain, sometimes with fever or chills
- Bleeding between periods
- Bleeding after having sex
For Men :
- Penile discharge (clear or whitish liquid coming out of the penis)
- Intense burning sensation while urinating (when you pee), more frequent need to pee
- Sore and/or swollen testicles
A visit to the STD clinic or to the doctor’s office, where an examination and some tests will be done, is the only way to diagnose Gonorrhea. A variety of tests can detect Gonorrhea: a urine sample, if available in your area, or samples from the cervix in women and from the tip of the penis (urethra) in men.  These samples are taken with a swab (looks like a long Q-tip). If a rectal or throat infection is suspected, samples will also be taken in those areas.Â
Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics taken by mouth or by injection. In many provinces, they are free.
It’s very important to inform your partner or partners because even if you have been treated, you can catch it again from your partner. Partners should be treated at the same time even if they show no symptoms they might be infected, and so re-infect you.Â
Condom use is excellent to prevent Gonorrhea!
If it happens to me, what do I do?
Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics taken by mouth or by injection. In many provinces, they are free.
It’s very important to inform your partner or partners because even if you have been treated, you can catch it again from your partner. Partners should be treated at the same time even if they show no symptoms they might be infected, and so re-infect you.Â
Condom use is excellent to prevent Gonorrhea!
What are the possible complications?
If the Gonorrhea is not treated, it could cause severe problems. The infection could spread to the uterus or to the tubes linking the ovaries to the uterus (fallopian tubes). Such an infection can cause sterility (impossibility to have children).
For men, the infection can spread to the testicles and to the ducts in which sperm is transported from the testicles. These infections can also cause sterility.
That’s why it is very important to have a follow-up examination to make sure the infection has been treated.
More rarely, the infection can spread to the skin and joints.
Extra
If you want to learn more, you can go to these websites:
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Teens Health - Gonorrhea
Website developped and offered by the Canadian Association for Adolescent Health
Last modification: 2006-02-01