Gonorrhea is one of the most common infectious diseases in the world. Often called "the clap," "dose," or "drip," it is caused by specific bacterium that is transmitted during vaginal, oral, or anal sex. A newborn baby can also get gonorrhea during childbirth if its mother is infected.
Signs and Symptoms
The signs of gonorrhea can, however, show up within 2-10 days after sexual
contact with an infected person. In men, symptoms include pain at the tip of the penis,
pain and burning during urination, and a thick, yellow, cloudy penile discharge that
gradually increases. In women, symptoms include mild itching and burning around the
vagina, a thick, yellowish-green vaginal discharge, burning on urination, and severe lower
abdominal pain (usually within a week or so after their menstrual periods).
Gonorrhea can be symptom-free. In fact, about 60 to 80% of infected women have no symptoms.
Treatment
If ignored, gonorrhea can cause widespread infection and/or infertility.
But gonorrhea can be cured with specific antibiotics. Since many strains of gonorrhea are
resistant to penicillin, your doctor will almost always use another medicine.
To treat gonorrhea successfully, you should heed the following:
Take prescribed medications.
To avoid reinfection, be sure that your
sexual partner is also treated.
Have follow-up cultures to determine if the
treatment was effective.
| For Men: Do you have any of these problems?  A discharge of pus from the penis Discomfort or pain when urinating Irritation and itching of the penis Pain during intercourse |
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| For Women: Do you have any of these problems? Itching and burning around the
vagina A vaginal discharge (this could be slight,
cloudy or greenish-yellow in color) Burning or pain when urinating The need to urinate often Discomfort in the lower abdomen Abnormal bleeding from the vagina |
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| For Men and Women: Are you symptom-free, but suspicious of having contracted gonorrhea or another sexually transmitted disease from someone you suspect may be infected? |
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| Do you want to rule out the presence of gonorrhea or other
sexually transmitted diseases for any of these reasons: Because you or your sex partner have had
multiple sex partners Because you are considering a new sexual
relationship Because you are planning to get married or
pregnant For peace of mind |
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HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 02/01/99