Gonorrhea
What is gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is an infection you can get when you have sex. It can cause serious health problems if it is not treated. If you are pregnant and don't get treatment, you can pass gonorrhea to your baby.
Gonorrhea is an
infection caused by
bacteria called Neisseria gonorrheae. Some people call it "the clap."
infection
You get an infection when viruses, bacteria, fungi or other tiny organisms get into your body. These bugs are so tiny that you can't see them without a microscope. For example, an infection in your airways causes the common cold. And an infection in your skin can cause rashes such as athlete's foot.
You get an infection when viruses, bacteria, fungi or other tiny organisms get into your body. These bugs are so tiny that you can't see them without a microscope. For example, an infection in your airways causes the common cold. And an infection in your skin can cause rashes such as athlete's foot.
bacteria
Bacteria are tiny organisms. There are lots of different types. Some are harmful and can cause disease. But some bacteria live in your body without causing any harm.
Bacteria are tiny organisms. There are lots of different types. Some are harmful and can cause disease. But some bacteria live in your body without causing any harm.
The bacteria can pass from person to person during sex.
1
Source:
Sparling PF.
Gonococcal infections.
In: Bennett JC, Plum F (editors). Cecil textbook of medicine. 20th edition. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, U.S.A.; 1995.
Sparling PF.
Gonococcal infections.
In: Bennett JC, Plum F (editors). Cecil textbook of medicine. 20th edition. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, U.S.A.; 1995.
- In women, gonorrhea usually affects the neck of the womb (the
cervix
The cervix is a piece of tissue that sits between a woman's womb and her vagina. It has a small opening in it that gets much bigger when a woman is having a baby.cervix) or the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside (theurethra
Your urethra is the tube that carries urine from your bladder out of your body. In a man, the urethra runs through the inside of the penis. In a woman, the urethra is shorter, and opens onto the top of the vagina.urethra), or both. - In men, it most often affects the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside (the urethra).
- The infection can be passed on by oral sex and anal sex as well as by vaginal sex. So it can also affect the throat and
rectum
The rectum is the last six to eight inches of the large intestine, ending with the anus (where you empty your bowels).rectum. - Touching your eyes after touching infected fluid from your genitals can lead to an eye infection.
Source:
Sparling PF.
Gonococcal infections.
In: Bennett JC, Plum F (editors). Cecil textbook of medicine. 20th edition. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, U.S.A.; 1995.
Sparling PF.
Gonococcal infections.
In: Bennett JC, Plum F (editors). Cecil textbook of medicine. 20th edition. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, U.S.A.; 1995.
antibiotics
These medications are used to help your immune system fight infection. There are a number of different types of antibiotics that work in different ways to get rid of bacteria, parasites and other infectious agents. Antibiotics do not work against viruses.
These medications are used to help your immune system fight infection. There are a number of different types of antibiotics that work in different ways to get rid of bacteria, parasites and other infectious agents. Antibiotics do not work against viruses.
Anyone who has sex can get gonorrhea.
Sometimes gonorrhea can spread inside the body. For example, it can spread to the blood or the joints.
1 In women, gonorrhea can spread to the womb and the
fallopian tubes. This can lead to infertility. To learn more, see What will happen to me?
Source:
Sparling PF.
Gonococcal infections.
In: Bennett JC, Plum F (editors). Cecil textbook of medicine. 20th edition. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, U.S.A.; 1995.
Sparling PF.
Gonococcal infections.
In: Bennett JC, Plum F (editors). Cecil textbook of medicine. 20th edition. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, U.S.A.; 1995.
fallopian tubes
Fallopian tubes are the two tubes that come out of the top of a woman's womb. They carry eggs from the ovaries to the womb.
Fallopian tubes are the two tubes that come out of the top of a woman's womb. They carry eggs from the ovaries to the womb.
We have looked at treatments for uncomplicated gonorrhea. This is when the infection has not spread from the place where it started, usually the urethra, vagina or rectum. We've
also looked at treatments for gonorrhea that has spread inside the body. This is called disseminated gonorrhea.
Anyone who has sex can get gonorrhea. You are more likely to get it if you:
2
Source:
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Recommendation statement: screening for gonorrhea.
May 2005. Available at http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf05/gonorrhea/gonrs.htm (accessed on 16 January 2009).
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Recommendation statement: screening for gonorrhea.
May 2005. Available at http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf05/gonorrhea/gonrs.htm (accessed on 16 January 2009).
- Have had gonorrhea before
- Have other sexually transmitted infections, such as
chlamydia
Chlamydia is an infection you can get by having sex without a condom. It can cause pain or discomfort and discharge from your sexual organs. If you're a woman, it can also cause infertility or a painful infection inside your body.chlamydia - Have a new sex partner, especially if this person has other sex partners or has had lots of sex partners in the past
- Have a lot of sex partners
- Don't always use a condom, or don't use condoms properly. To read more, see Using a condom properly
- Use illegal or recreational drugs, which may affect your judgment and make you less likely to use a condom
- Are a man who has sex with men.
Source:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
STD surveillance 2006: gonorrhea.
November 2007. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats06/gonorrhea.htm (accessed on 16 January 2009).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
STD surveillance 2006: gonorrhea.
November 2007. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats06/gonorrhea.htm (accessed on 16 January 2009).
If you have gonorrhea, there is a good chance you could also have chlamydia, which is another infection that you can get through
sex. Among people who have gonorrhea, half of women and a third of men have chlamydia, too.
4
5
6
7
8 To learn more, see Chlamydia.
Source:
McMillan A, Manavi K, Young H.
Concurrent gonococcal and chlamydial infections among men attending a sexually transmitted diseases clinic.
International Journal of STD and AIDS. 2005; 16: 357-361.
McMillan A, Manavi K, Young H.
Concurrent gonococcal and chlamydial infections among men attending a sexually transmitted diseases clinic.
International Journal of STD and AIDS. 2005; 16: 357-361.
Source:
Kent CK, Chaw JK, Wong W, et al.
Prevalence of rectal, urethral, and pharyngeal chlamydia and gonorrhea detected in 2 clinical settings among men who have sex with men: San Francisco, California, 2003.
Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2005; 41: 67-74.
Kent CK, Chaw JK, Wong W, et al.
Prevalence of rectal, urethral, and pharyngeal chlamydia and gonorrhea detected in 2 clinical settings among men who have sex with men: San Francisco, California, 2003.
Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2005; 41: 67-74.
Source:
Habib AR, Fernando R.
Efficacy of azithromycin 1 g single dose in the management of uncomplicated gonorrhoea.
International Journal of STD and AIDS. 2004; 15: 240-242.
Habib AR, Fernando R.
Efficacy of azithromycin 1 g single dose in the management of uncomplicated gonorrhoea.
International Journal of STD and AIDS. 2004; 15: 240-242.
Source:
Creighton S, Tenant-Flowers M, Taylor CB, et al.
Co-infection with gonorrhoea and chlamydia: how much is there and what does it mean?
International Journal of STD and AIDS. 2003; 14: 109-113.
Creighton S, Tenant-Flowers M, Taylor CB, et al.
Co-infection with gonorrhoea and chlamydia: how much is there and what does it mean?
International Journal of STD and AIDS. 2003; 14: 109-113.
Source:
Lyss SB, Kamb ML, Peterman TA, et al.
Chlamydia trachomatis among patients infected with and treated for Neisseria gonorrhoeae in sexually transmitted disease clinics in the United States.
Annals of Internal Medicine. 2003; 139: 178-185.
Lyss SB, Kamb ML, Peterman TA, et al.
Chlamydia trachomatis among patients infected with and treated for Neisseria gonorrhoeae in sexually transmitted disease clinics in the United States.
Annals of Internal Medicine. 2003; 139: 178-185.
Sources for the information on this page:
- Sparling PF.Gonococcal infections.In: Bennett JC, Plum F (editors). Cecil textbook of medicine. 20th edition. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, U.S.A.; 1995.
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.Recommendation statement: screening for gonorrhea.May 2005. Available at http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf05/gonorrhea/gonrs.htm (accessed on 16 January 2009).
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STD surveillance 2006: gonorrhea.November 2007. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats06/gonorrhea.htm (accessed on 16 January 2009).
- McMillan A, Manavi K, Young H.Concurrent gonococcal and chlamydial infections among men attending a sexually transmitted diseases clinic.International Journal of STD and AIDS. 2005; 16: 357-361.
- Kent CK, Chaw JK, Wong W, et al.Prevalence of rectal, urethral, and pharyngeal chlamydia and gonorrhea detected in 2 clinical settings among men who have sex with men: San Francisco, California, 2003.Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2005; 41: 67-74.
- Habib AR, Fernando R.Efficacy of azithromycin 1 g single dose in the management of uncomplicated gonorrhoea.International Journal of STD and AIDS. 2004; 15: 240-242.
- Creighton S, Tenant-Flowers M, Taylor CB, et al.Co-infection with gonorrhoea and chlamydia: how much is there and what does it mean?International Journal of STD and AIDS. 2003; 14: 109-113.
- Lyss SB, Kamb ML, Peterman TA, et al.Chlamydia trachomatis among patients infected with and treated for Neisseria gonorrhoeae in sexually transmitted disease clinics in the United States.Annals of Internal Medicine. 2003; 139: 178-185.
This information was last updated on Apr 09, 2009
This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
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