STD Facts :: Gonorrhea
WHAT IS IT?
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is a very common STD (also known as "the Clap") and is estimated that there are more than 700,000 new cases each year.
WHY DO WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IT?
Besides being the second-most commonly reported bacterial STD, it has increasingly become resistant to available medications. Quinolone-Resistant N. gonorrhoeae (QRNG) is rising fast in the gay/bi men's community (MMWR 2004).
Gonorrhea can cause serious, long-term damage and sterility. Also, it makes it easier to both get HIV (because of tissue inflammation) and give HIV (there is more HIV in semen and vaginal fluids when a person is infected with gonorrhea).
HOW DO I GET IT?
Gonorrhea is most commonly spread from person to person during unprotected oral, anal, or vaginal sex. Like chlamydia, it is site-specific, so if a person has a gonorrheal infection in their throat, it can be transmitted to a penis during oral sex, and vice versa. If a person has gonorrhea in their penis, it can be transmitted inside of a vagina or butt, and vice versa. It is possible to be infected in more than one site at the same time.
The eyes are also susceptible and can be infected if someone with gonorrhea gets discharge in another person's eye. A person does not need to ejaculate (cum) in order for transmission to occur during unprotected sex. Using a latex or polyurethane condom will help prevent transmission if used correctly, and used every time.
Gonorrhea can be passed to a baby during birth. It is very important that your health care provider know about your infection if you are pregnant.
Communicate with your partners about current or previous risks for STDs, and familiarize yourself with the symptoms of gonorrhea.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Many people do not exhibit symptoms of gonorrhea, especially if infected in the throat or the butt. Symptoms typically develop within 2 to 5 days after initial infection, though symptoms may take as long as 30 days to develop.
Typical, site-specific symptoms (for those people that develop them), may include:
IN THE VAGINA
- Mucus in stool
- Discharge (white, yellow or green fluid) from rectum
- Anal itching and/or soreness
IN THE BUTT
- Mucus in stool
- Discharge (white, yellow or green fluid) from rectum
- Anal itching and/or soreness
IN THE PENIS
- Pain and/or burning sensation when peeing
- Dripping or discharge (white, yellow or green fluid) from tip of penis
IN THE THROAT
- Mild sore throat
- Swollen glands in neck
- Usually no symptoms
Left untreated in the penis, gonorrhea can cause epididymitis, a painful condition of the testicles that can cause swelling and sterility.
Left untreated in the vagina, gonorrhea can spread from the cervix to the fallopian tubes and ovaries and cause a very painful and serious infection (PID) that may result in not being able to become pregnant.
Overall, gonorrhea can also spread to the blood, joints, heart and nervous system, and can sometimes lead to life-threatening conditions.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE IT?
Gonorrhea can be diagnosed by collecting samples from each site (urine or urethral swab for the penis, anal swab for the butt, and pharyngeal swab for the throat) and examining the sample under a microscope.
If a person has had their penis in someone else's mouth, butt or vagina, the penis needs to be tested.
If a person has had a penis in their throat, the throat needs to be tested.
If a person has had a penis in their butt, the butt needs to be tested.
If a person has had a penis in their vagina, the vagina needs to be tested.
A person can test negative for gonorrhea in one place and positive in another and not know it unless each site is tested.
HOW IS IT TREATED?
Gonorrhea is no longer easily treated with antibiotics taken by mouth. Because of the rise in Quinolone-Resistant N. gonorrhoeae (QRNG), it is very important to speak with your provider about your risk and treatment options.
Do not try to treat yourself. It is very important to work closely with your medical provider around drug resistance and treatment.
People infected with gonorrhea frequently are co-infected with chlamydia, and often people are routinely treated for both when testing positive for gonorrhea.
It is possible to be re-infected with gonorrhea after treatment if a person is exposed again.
For more specific information about treatment and drug resistance, consult your medical provider. You can also read more in the CDC's 2006 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines as well as their April 2007 Update.
WHAT ABOUT SEX PARTNERS?
It is best to wait two weeks after treatment, but at the very least wait at least one week after treatment before having any kind of sex (oral, anal, or vaginal) to avoid infecting others and avoid becoming re-infected.
It is also important that anybody that you have had sex with in the last two months (or your last sex partner if more than two months ago) be notified about your infection.
Each of your sex partners will need to be tested and treated. Do not have sex with anyone you have had sex with that has not been tested and treated.
Click here for information on how to notify your partners through InSPOT.
WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR RISK
- Use latex or polyurethane condoms every time to help prevent transmission
- Use a new condom or latex glove for each new partner in group settings
- Limit the number of people you have sex with
- Get a full STD exam on a regular (at least annual) basis, depending on your risk
- Get your partners tested on a regular basis
For more information about gonorrhea, check out the CDC's Gonorrhea Fact Sheet.
For more information about QRNG and drug resistance, check out the CDC's Resistance Fact Sheet.
Questions about your risk? About testing? Email us or call 612.543.555.
Content updated: Jan 08
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