Gonorrhoea This factsheet is for people who have gonorrhoea, or who would like more information about it. Gonorrhoea is a disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It can be transmitted by unprotected sex or passed from an infected mother to her baby during a vaginal birth. About gonorrhoea Gonorrhoea can easily be treated but if left untreated, it can cause health and fertility problems. Symptoms of gonorrhoea If you do have symptoms, these usually start around one to 10 days after getting the infection. However, symptoms can show up many months later, or not until the infection has spread to other parts of your body. In men, symptoms of gonorrhoea include: Gonorrhoea infection in the back passage (rectum) may cause a discharge or bleeding from your anus, and this area may be itchy and cause you some discomfort but usually there are no symptoms. Gonorrhoea infection in the throat is unlikely to give you any symptoms. If your eyes are infected, it can cause irritation and a discharge (conjunctivitis) from one or both of your eyes. Complications of gonorrhoea In women, gonorrhoea infection can spread to the womb (uterus), ovaries and fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Between one and two women in 10 with untreated gonorrhoea get PID. PID can damage the fallopian tubes and can increase the risk of being infertile. It can also increase the risk of having an ectopic pregnancy. This is when pregnancy occurs outside the womb, for example in one of the fallopian tubes. In men, gonorrhoea infection can spread to the testicles or the prostate gland. It can also cause the tube which carries sperm from the testes (the epididymis) to become blocked. This can affect fertility. Rarely, untreated gonorrhoea can spread through the bloodstream and infect other parts of the body, including the heart, joints and spine. Causes of gonorrhoea N. gonorrhoeae can be found in the semen of men and the vaginal fluids of women who have the infection. The infection can be passed on from one person to another during vaginal, anal or oral sex as well as by sharing sex toys with an infected person. Gonorrhoea can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby during a vaginal birth. Diagnosis of gonorrhoea You don't have to ask your GP to refer you to a GUM or sexual health clinic, you can make your own appointment. All visits are confidential and you don't have to give your real name. Details won't be sent to your GP without your consent. There are different ways to test for gonorrhoea: The samples will be sent to a laboratory for testing, or your doctor may look for the bacterium under a microscope and give you the result immediately. If the tests show that you have gonorrhoea, it's important to contact your previous partners who may be at risk to prevent them from spreading the infection to others. Clinics can send anonymous letters on your behalf if you're willing to provide details. Treatment of gonorrhoea Once diagnosed with gonorrhoea, it's important to wait until the doctor gives you the 'all clear' before you have vaginal, anal or oral sex again. Wait until you and your partner have both finished treatment, or you could become re-infected. Antibiotics can interfere with some forms of oral contraception so you may need to use an alternative contraceptive, such as condoms. Ask your nurse or doctor for advice. Special considerations You can also pass gonorrhoea to your baby during birth. This can cause conjunctivitis in one or both of the baby's eyes, which must be treated. If not, it can lead to blindness. If you have gonorrhoea when you're pregnant or breastfeeding, you will be given a course of antibiotics to treat the infection. It's important to tell your doctor or nurse that you're pregnant or breastfeeding so that you're prescribed a suitable antibiotic that is safe for your baby. Prevention of gonorrhoea Gonorrhoea Q&As
|
