GONORRHEA
What
is it?
Gonorrhea is a common infection of the genitourinary
tract (specifically the urethra and cervix) caused by
the bacteria, Nisseria gonorrhoeae. About 1
million new infections are reported each year in the United
States. Young men aged 20 - 24 have the highest rate
followed by those 15 to 19 years old. In women, the
highest rate are in adolescents aged 15 - 19 years old.
It is also quite common to have both Gonorrhea and Chlamydia
infections at the same time. In 130 AD, Galen named
the condition Gonorrhea (latin for "flow of seeds"), because
the condition was associated with urethral discharge in
men.
Click
on the photos for larger view.
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Gonorrheal
discharge from penis ("The
Drip")
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Gonorrhea
discharge from vagina
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(Compare
this discharge to that seen in chlamydia.)
Common
Signs & Symptoms
Getting gonorrhea occurs following unprotected sexual
contact with somebody who is already infected. Children
born to infected moms can get gonorrhea of the eyes during
the baby's passage through the birth canal.
MEN
(pictured): Though many infected males may not have
any symptoms, usually 3 - 6 days after infection one gets
symptoms of urethritis (inflammation of the urethra).
This includes BURNING WHEN PEEING, GOING MORE OFTEN THAN
NORMAL, AND A PUS DISCHARGE FROM THE PENIS. Other
symptoms include a red and swollen meatus.
WOMEN:
Most infected women do not get symptoms, though a
greenish-yellow vaginal discharge may come from the cervix.
Other symptoms may include an itchy and red vulva.
The most dangerous aspect of this infection is in women
who develop gonorrhea of the uterus and fallopian tubes.
This common cause of Pelvic
Inflammatory Disease (PID) can lead to severe pain,
fever, infection of the whole body, infertility (the inability
to have children), and even death!
CHILDREN:
Newborn infants can get Gonorrhea eye infection (conjunctivitis)
as they pass through an infected mother's birth canal.
This leads to terrible pus and potential blindness if not
treated. This is one reason ALL newborns get an antibiotic
ointment put into their eyes immediately after being born.
The antibiotic ointment kills both Gonorrhea and Chlamydia
neonatal conjunctivitis.
How's
it Diagnosed?
A culture from the site of infection (e.g., urethra, cervix,
rectum, throat, eye) grown with a special bacteria food
(Thayer-Martin growth medium) usually allows a diagnosis
to be made. Cultures are obtained by "swabbing" the
infected area.
How's it Treated?
Gonorrhea used to be 100% curable with Penicillin.
Unfortunately, because antibiotics have been used so commonly
(often given out for simple colds - where they don't do
anything) that the gonorrhea bacteria has developed RESISTANCE!
We now use a more potent antibiotic to cure gonorrhea.
Usually a shot of ceftriaxone (Rocephin) or an extra-large
dose of azithromycin (Zithromax) will kill the bacteria
and cure the disease. It is crucial that those infected
alert their sexual partners to allow them to be adequately
treated.
How
do I avoid Getting It (Prevention)?
Avoidance by abstinence, or good
use of a condom during sexual relations is the surest
way of avoiding this disease.
Additional
Information
Get additional information on this and other diseases by
clicking here.
