This post was most recently updated on July 25th, 2023
Overview:-
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease which is caused by a bacteria called gonococcus(also called Neisseria gonorrhoeae). It is effective equally in males and females. That means the bacteria will be active on any type of gender. This bacteria is most often active in reproductive parts such as urethra and cervix in females, rectum in both gender and throat as well. In the case of a newly born child, the infection will occur in eyes and children are most affected due to the cause of genetic defects.
Gonorrhea is mostly transmitted through sex. This is why it is also called a sexually transmitted disease. The main cause of this disease to be seen in younger people is due to unsafe sex. The child may also be the victim of this disease if s/he was born by an infected mother.
Sometimes, symptoms of gonorrhea on an infected person may not be seen. This means you would not know any type of signs or noticed if you have been infected by this disease. Following safer sex is the best way to prevent this disease. Using condoms is the safest way for safer sex.
What are the sign and symptoms of gonorrhea?
As I have already mentioned in the overview section that in many cases, the sign and symptoms of gonorrhea are hidden. However, if it gets to appear in the body then it will affect the whole body, but mainly it affects the reproductive parts such as rectum, cervix, uterus. As this disease is effective on both types of gender, the symptoms will vary according to the sex of the person.
Symptoms on males of gonorrhea:-
• Unusual discharge of urine(urination) from the penis in the form of different colors such as green, yellow, white, etc.
• The urination mentioned above may be pus-like.
• You will feel excessive pain while urinating.
• Pain in testicles may feel you bad. But this symptom may not be seen to all person because this is a rare case.
Symptoms on females of gonorrhea:-
• Unusual discharge of pus-like liquid from the vagina that may be thick & green, white, and yellow in color.
• Pain in the region of the lower abdomen is the common symptom in females for this disease.
• You may feel excessive pain while urinating/peeing.
• Unusual periods. And excessive bleeding may occur during the menstruation periods.
• Women will feel more pain during sexual intercourse.
Symptoms that are common in both gender:-
- Balls of eyes may turn into red which is called conjunctivitis caused by a fluid of cum and vaginal secretion.
- The throat may be infected in some cases. You may have got pharyngitis, or tonsillitis which comes under the sore throat.
- Secretion of pus-like liquid from rectum.
- Pain in rectum and anal. And blood may be seen while having a toilet.
What are the causes of gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is generally caused by a bacteria called gonococcus. It can be transmitted through unsafe sex including oral, vaginal, anal and direct sexual intercourse.
As it is a contagious disease, there will be a high chance of being transmitted genetically. That’s why if an infected mother gives birth to a new child, then the newly born child will have gonorrhea for sure.
What are the risk factors of gonorrhea?
- Being in a relationship and having sex with an infected person at a younger age. Because the immunity power of the person would not develop much to fight with germs like bacteria.
- Having sexual intercourse with the new partner may lead you to gonorrhea. That’s why you need to confirm whether s/he is suffering from any kind of infection or not.
- Having sex with multiple partners may also promote gonorrhea because the virus gets transmitted or multiplies in a number to a different person.
- Using a used contraceptive tool or device will play a direct role in transmitting the virus of gonorrhea.
What are the preventions of gonorrhea?
As gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease, we need to focus on safer sex to prevent it. The preventions are as follows:-
- Always use a condom while having sex. The elastic rubber of condoms will help to prevent the virus travel from one person to another person.
- Never dare to have sex with the unknown partner. This is because s/he may have an infection of this disease.
- Having sexual intercourse with a single partner only is the best way to prevent this serious sexually transmitted disease.
- Don’t forget to ask your sex partner before having sex if s/he has got gonorrhea or not.
- Avoid having sex with the person who has unusual symptoms of any kind of sexually transmitted disease(STDs).
- Have a regular gonorrhea test once in a month. Because this is a serious disease and we need to take care of our health before getting infected.
Treatments
Gonorrhea is a contagious or communicable disease that’s why we need to give a quick treatment to the infected person. For this, the infected person needs to take antibiotics. That means this disease is generally treated by antibiotics.
At first, the infection named ceftriaxone would be given to the infected person. This injection needs to be given through oral. In addition to that, antibiotics named azithromycin or doxycycline need to be given consequently with the injection orally.
According to the research and study, some people may have an allergy on ceftriaxone. For this, the patient needs to request a physician to prescribe gemifloxacin. This antibiotic is being successful for the current patient of gonorrhea.
