Gonorrhoea
Essential facts
Gonorrhoea is a serious infection caused by
a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae, or gonococcus.
It is easily treated soon after infection,
but may cause lifelong complications (particularly in women) if not
diagnosed and treated early.
In South Australia, gonorrhoea is common in
Aboriginal people, men who have sex with men, and those who have had sex
overseas. People in these groups should always have a test for gonorrhoea
as part of a sexual health check-up.
Symptoms
Both men and women may have gonorrhoea
without symptoms, so you can be infected without knowing that anything is
wrong.
Symptoms that may occur:
- In males, a yellow discharge from
the penis and pain when passing urine may occur within about a week of
acquiring the infection.
- In females, there may be a
vaginal discharge, burning when passing urine, irregular vaginal
bleeding, lower abdominal pain or pain during sex. If untreated, the
infection may spread to the reproductive organs causing pelvic
inflammatory disease (PID). This may damage the fallopian tubes
and result in infertility.
- In both sexes gonorrhoea can
occur in the rectum (anus) and also the throat. It does not usually
cause symptoms in either of these sites.
Transmission
Gonorrhoea is sexually transmitted by oral,
anal or genital sex.
Infection may occur in the urethra (penis),
cervix, throat and rectum. Infection in the throat occurs during oral sex
and infection in the rectum may happen during anal sex.
Gonorrhoea is sometimes detected in the
rectum of women who have not had anal intercourse, due to spread from the
genital area.
Gonorrhoea can be passed from a woman to
her baby during birth.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis requires laboratory tests to look
for bacteria under a microscope and grow them in culture. Swab specimens
may be taken from the urethra, throat, cervix or rectum. Sometimes, if
there are no symptoms, it is possible to check for gonorrhoea using a
urine specimen. Your doctor will advise if this test is suitable for you.
When you have a swab taken at the STD
Clinic, sometimes a presumptive diagnosis of gonorrhoea can be made
"on the spot". These results require further tests, which
usually confirm the diagnosis in a few days.
Treatment
Gonorrhoea can be simply and effectively
treated with a single antibiotic injection.
Some people are allergic to the medication
used to treat gonorrhoea. You should tell your doctor if you have any drug
allergies (especially penicillin). After treatment for gonorrhoea, you
must remain in the clinic for observation for 30 minutes.
Follow-up
Five to 10 days after treatment, another
test is done to check that the gonorrhoea has been cured. Do not have sex
until you know the result of this test.
For men, symptoms such as a discharge or
irritation will settle down much faster if you do not have sex,
masturbate, or squeeze the penis.
Sex partner(s) should be promptly tested
and treated for their own health (to prevent complications), and to reduce
further spread of the infection. If your partner has been treated for
gonorrhoea, do not have sex until you both have follow-up tests
that confirm that you are cured.
It is very important to have a blood test
three months after you have been treated for gonorrhoea.
This test will detect blood-borne infections that you might have been
exposed to at the time you had gonorrhoea.
Prevention
Use a condom. Condoms prevent gonorrhoea
very effectively, if worn properly.
Choosing to avoid sex with casual partners,
and having sex with fewer partners, are strategies that can reduce the
risk of contracting gonorrhoea.
Have regular STD check-ups, including a
swab test for gonorrhoea:
- after sex with a new partner,
- immediately, if symptoms occur, e.g.
discharge, painful urination,
- if a sexual partner has gonorrhoea or
symptoms of gonorrhoea
- if you have had sex with a partner
overseas
|
Health
on the Net Code of Conduct for health-related sites