Gonorrhea

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a bacterium that is transmitted by sexual activity that causes inflammation on the mucous membranes. Commonly it causes urethritis in men and cervicitis in women. Disease can progress to epididymitis in men and salpingitis or peritonitis in women. Infection through anal sex can cause proctitis and perianal inflammation, and infection through oral sex can cause pharyngitis.

Symptoms include severe pain during urination, pus from the urethra, increased urine frequency, and an increase in the amount of volatiles and foul odors and discolored urine in women. Gonorrhea rarely causes arthritis but it may cause skin lesions.

A small number of infections can be asymptomatic, such as pharyngitis and cervicitis. These often causes mild symptoms in women and are difficult to notice, which leaves a high risk of transmission to their sexual partner.

Route of infection and prevention

People may be infected with Gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) thtough direct contact with the semen, vaginal fluid, and pharyngeal mucosa of an infected person. People infected may be asymptomatic or show some mild symptoms. There is always a possibility that you may be infected.

It is very important to use condoms for prevention.

If a pregnant woman is infected, gonococci may infect the fetus' eyes during labor, causing neonatal conjunctivitis. After delivery, you can apply an antibacterial ointment to the newborns eyes to prevent infection. Periodic medical examination for pregnant women is important to prevent transmitting infections to newborns.

Testing

Samples of secretions, and urine from the cervix, penis, throat, and rectum are collected to find stains of bacteria via microscopic examination or culture. Gonorrhea is sometimes also detected by a PCR test (a method to detect the genetic material identifying Neisseria gonorrhoeae).

Treatment

An antibacterial injection (drip or intramuscular injection) is given for treatment. Please encourage your sexual partner to receive an examination and start the treatment as soon as possible.
In addition to Gonorrhea, other pathogens such as Chlamydia may be simultaneously found. For this cases, antibacterial drugs may be added to the treatment. If you are allergic to antibacterial drugs, there are medications that will be used for your treatment.

Drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoea has become a major problem. It is very important to test again after treatment to make sure that the gonococcus has turned negative.

Please refrain from sexual intercourse, as there is a risk of infecting the other person until the tes results turns negative.