Gonorrhea

What is gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea, also known as "the clap," is a curable infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhea. The bacteria targets the cells of the mucous membranes including: the surfaces of the urethra, vagina, cervix and endometrium, the fallopian tubes, the anus and rectum, the lining of the eyelid, and the throat.

How can I get gonorrhea?

• Gonorrhea is passed during oral, anal or vaginal sex. It can be passed when the mucous membrane, the soft skin covering all the openings of the body, comes into contact with the mucous membrane secretions or semen of an infected person.

• During oral sex, it is possible for gonorrhea to be transmitted from mouth-to-penis and penis-to-mouth contact, and though less so, from vagina-to-mouth or anus-to-mouth contact. Transmission is not known to occur from mouth-to-vagina and mouth to anus contact.

• Gonorrhea can be passed even if the penis or tongue does not go all the way into the vagina or anus. If the vagina, cervix, anus, penis or mouth come in contact with infected secretions or fluids; then transmission is possible.
   

• Even a woman who has not had anal sex can get gonorrhea in the anus or rectum if bacteria are spread from the vaginal area, such as when wiping with toilet paper.

• Eye infections in adults may result when discharge caries the disease into the eye during sex or hand-to-eye contact.

• Gonorrhea is not passed through things like shaking hands or toilet seats.

• Even if a person with gonorrhea is treated and cured, they can be reinfected if they are exposed to gonorrhea again.

• It can also be passed from mother to newborn as the baby passes through the infected birth canal. This can result in eye infections, pneumonia or other complications.

• In children, gonorrhea may be a possible sign of sexual abuse.

What are the symptoms of gonorrhea?

• Most men exhibit symptoms within two days to five days after exposure, with a possible range of one to 30 days.

• Although most women infected will remain asymptomatic (without symptoms), women who develop symptoms will do so within 10 days of infection.

• The symptoms of gonorrhea are similar to the symptoms of chlamydia.

• Both men and women might have rectal or anal infection. Symptoms are usually not present in about 90% of cases. When present, symptoms include anal or rectal itching, discharge, and pain during defecation.

• Gonorrhea infections of the mouth and throat are usually without symptoms. If present, symptoms include soreness and redness in the mouth or throat. A culture test is used to determine if gonorrhea is causing these symptoms.

• If gonorrhea infects the eye, men and women might experience conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eyelid lining). Symptoms of conjunctivitis include redness, itching, and discharge from the eye.

• The most common symptoms in newborns include conjunctivitis and pneumonia, which usually develop 5 to 12 days after birth.

What can I do to reduce my risk of getting gonorrhea?

• Abstinence (not having sex)

• Mutual monogamy (having sex with only one uninfected partner)

• Water-based spermicides are not recommended for the prevention of gonorrhea. Recent studies have shown that nonoxynol-9 (N-9), which is found in most water-based spermicides, is not effective in preventing gonorrhea.

• Latex condoms for vaginal and anal sex.

• Since gonorrhea can be transmitted even if the penis or tongue does not completely enter the vagina, mouth or rectum, using latex condoms at the beginning of sexual contact until there is no longer skin contact is the best form of prevention.

• Several barrier methods can be used to reduce the risk of transmission of gonorrhea during oral sex. A non-lubricated condom can be used for mouth-to-penis contact. Household plastic wrap, a dental dam, or a latex condom cut-up and opened flat can reduce the risk of transmission during mouth-to-vulva/vagina or oral-anal (rimming) contact.

Information taken form the American Social Heath Association.