What is it and how is it passed on?
Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection sometimes called 'the clap'. It can infect the genitals, urethra, rectum and throat. More rarely, it can affect the blood, skin, joints and eyes.
Gonorrhoea is infectious and easily passed on through:
- vaginal, oral or anal sex
- close physical contact
- sharing sex toys
- from a mother to her baby at birth
It can also be passed from the genitals to the eyes by the fingers.
You can't catch gonorrhoea from kissing, hugging, sharing baths, towels, cups, plates or cutlery, or from toilet seats or swimming pools.
Signs and symptoms
About 50% of women and 10% of men with gonorrhoea show no symptoms at all. Any symptoms that do occur may be noticed one to 14 days after infection. Gonorrhoea in the throat rarely shows symptoms.
Symptoms in women:
- strong smelling vaginal discharge that may be thin/watery or yellow/green
- pain when passing urine
- irritation or discharge from the anus
- possibly some low abdominal or pelvic tenderness
Symptoms in men:
- white, yellow or green discharge from the tip of the penis
- inflammation of the testicles and prostate gland
- pain when urinating
- irritation or discharge from the anus
Testing and treatment
Tests for gonorrhoea shouldn't be painful, but they may be uncomfortable. They involve:
- giving a sample of urine
- a genital examination by a doctor or nurse
- taking swabs from the cervix (entrance to the womb), urethra (tube where the urine comes out), throat or rectum
Early treatment is simple and effective and involves a single dose of antibiotics. This is followed by a second test a month later to make sure the infection has gone. If complications occur another treatment may be needed.
It's important not to have unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex until treatment is completed and the infection has cleared up.
Once gonorrhoea is successfully treated it won't come back unless a new infection is picked up. To avoid re-infection, any sexual partners should be treated too.
The highest rates of gonorrhoea are seen in women aged 16-19 and men aged 20-24.
What happens if it isn't treated?
Without treatment, gonorrhoea can spread to other reproductive organs causing damage and serious long-term health problems.
In women, gonorrhoea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease. This can lead to:
- blocked fallopian tubes (the tubes which carry the egg from the ovaries to the womb), which can result in reduced fertility or infertility
- long-term pelvic pain
- ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the womb)
A mother with gonorrhoea can pass an eye infection to her baby at birth. If untreated, this can lead to blindness.
In men, gonorrhoea can lead to:
- pain and inflammation of the testicles
- inflammation of the prostate gland and infertility
Where to go for help and advice
You can talk to your GP or go to a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic. Such clinics diagnose and treat all STIs for free. They're completely confidential and your GP won't be informed without your consent. You can go to any clinic in the country for advice or treatment.
How to avoid STIs
Before you have sex, talk to your partner about how to protect yourselves.
A male or female condom can provide protection from most STIs if used correctly every time you have sex.
Become familiar with how to use condoms and have a supply ready.
Seek advice straight away if you think you?ve been at risk.
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