Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacterium that can damage reproductive organs. Gonorrhea stays in your body if it is not treated. Gonorrhea can also spread to the blood or joints. This condition can be very serious. Gonorrhea can spread into the uterus or fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a serious infection of the reproductive organs. PID can also cause damage that makes you unable to get pregnant.
Antibiotics can successfully cure gonorrhea. However, drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea are increasing in the United States, and successful treatment of gonorrhea is becoming more difficult. Persons with gonorrhea should be tested for other STIs.
Gonorrhea stays in your body if it is not treated. Gonorrhea can also spread to the blood or joints. This condition can be very serious. Gonorrhea can spread into the uterus or fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a serious infection of the reproductive organs. PID can also cause damage that makes you unable to get pregnant. Untreated gonorrhea may cause chronic pain in your pelvic area or you could pass it to your baby. Gonorrhea can cause serious health problems for babies. Untreated gonorrhea can also increase the risk of getting HIV or passing HIV to a partner. You may develop a painful condition in the testicles. In rare cases, this may prevent you from having children.
Many people infected with gonorrhea exhibit no symptoms. In cases where symptoms present, they generally appear two to 21 days after exposure. These symptoms may include sore throat; fever; chills; swelling and pain in joints or tendons; wrist and skin rash; abnormal periods or bleeding between periods; painful or burning sensation when urinating; increased vaginal discharge or discharge from the penis; Painful or swollen testicles; painful intercourse; bleeding or spotting after intercourse; and anal pain, discharge, itching or bleeding.
Gonorrhea can be diagnosed with simple laboratory tests. Some can be performed on urine, or swabs from oral, vaginal and anal sites and should be done at any site there has been sexual contact.
Gonorrhea can be transmitted during vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has gonorrhea. It can also be passed from a mother to her newborn baby during childbirth.
The only way to avoid sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is to not have vaginal, anal or oral sex. Limiting the number of sex partners and using condoms the right way every time you have sex can reduce the risk of getting gonorrhea.
The only way to avoid sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is to not have vaginal, anal or oral sex. Limiting the number of sex partners and using condoms the right way every time you have sex can reduce the risk of getting gonorrhea.
Antibiotics can successfully cure gonorrhea. However, drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea are increasing in the United States, and successful treatment of gonorrhea is becoming more difficult. Persons with gonorrhea should be tested
for other STIs. Repeat infection with gonorrhea is common. You should be tested again about three months after you are treated, even if your sex partners have been treated.
Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Sexual Health and Harm Reduction Services
123 Robert S. Kerr Ave, Ste 1702
Oklahoma City, OK 73102-6406
Physical Address:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Sexual Health and Harm Reduction Services
123 Robert S. Kerr Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK
Phone: (405) 426-8400
Email: SHHRFax@health.ok.gov
