Gonorrhea: Transmission, Symptoms & Treatment

One of the most common sexually transmitted diseases is Gonorrhea.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by infection with the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae . It is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases, affecting both men and women equally . In many people, gonorrhea does not present symptoms , which is particularly dangerous, as if left untreated early , it can cause severe and irreversible damage to the body.

Gonorrhea can be transmitted through: Sexual contact ( vaginal , anal , oral ) Contact with infected bodily fluids Vaginal birth from mother to newborn

Gonorrhea often does not show symptoms , which makes its treatment more difficult. However, in several cases, symptoms appear 2-10 days after infection with the gonococcus bacterium .

For the correct diagnosis of gonorrhea , tests can be performed depending on the area that presents symptoms ( genitals , rectum , mouth ). Samples to be sent for testing are taken from: Urine Throat & Mouth Rectum Urethra Vagina Cervix In many cases , gonorrhea is accompanied by chlamydia , another sexually transmitted infection with mild symptomatology . For this reason, when gonorrhea is diagnosed , it would be advisable for the patient to also be tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Chlamydia

The treatment of gonorrhea has become increasingly difficult in recent years, as some strains of gonococcus have been found to become particularly resistant to antibiotics . For this reason, gonorrhea can be treated with the administration of:

In some cases, the combination of the above treatment methods is necessary . If symptoms persist for a few days after taking the medication , a re-examination by the venereologist is recommended.

How long should I abstain from sexual activity?

The period of abstinence from sexual activity will be determined by the doctor and must be strictly adhered to to avoid infecting partners. Furthermore, it is important that when gonorrhea is diagnosed, the patient informs all partners with whom they have had sexual contact recently.

Should my sexual partner also be tested for gonorrhea?

Of course. Even if they show no symptoms at all, the partner of someone suffering from gonorrhea must be tested and receive the same treatment to avoid re-infection.

What can I do for prevention in the future?

Gonorrhea is caused by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium. Therefore, its treatment does not guarantee immunity to future infections. For this reason, it is important to follow preventive methods for gonorrhea and, of course, for other sexually transmitted infections. The best prevention methods are the use of condoms in every form of sexual contact, limiting the number of sexual partners, and regular preventive screening for sexually transmitted infections.