Overview

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium. It can infect the genitals, rectum, and throat. Symptoms may include painful urination, discharge, and swollen testicles. Left untreated, it can lead to serious complications, such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. Condom use and regular testing are crucial for prevention and early detection.

The infection can also pass from a pregnant woman to her baby during childbirth, increasing the chance of serious health problems such as blindness, joint infections or a deadly blood infection in the newborn. It is a curable disease if detected on time. With early treatment, one can prevent further damage. Let’s delve deeper to understand more about it.

Symptoms of Gonorrhoea

The symptoms are primarily unrecognisable and vary in both men and women.

Symptoms of gonorrhoea in men include:

Swollen Testicles
White, Yellow, or Green Discharge from the Penis
Pain during urination

Symptoms of gonorrhoea in women include:

Bleeding in the Vaginal Part
Pelvic or Abdominal Pain
Vaginal Discharge
Pain During Urination
Discomfort

Not only this, but gonorrhoea infection also infects other parts of the body, such as joints, rectum, eyes, and throat.

Let's see the signs and symptoms of gonorrhoea infection in other parts(apart from the genitals) of the body.

Joints - When the joints are infected by gonorrhoea, it shows symptoms such as extreme pain, warmth, swelling, and red.
Rectum - An affected rectum shows symptoms such as foul-smelling discharge, bleeding during the toilet, and itching in the rectum region.
Eyes - During gonorrhoea infection, a person's eyes show symptoms such as pain in the eyes or their surroundings and pus discharge.
Throat - It shows symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes and sore throat.

Causes of Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The infection is typically transmitted through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected partner. It can also be passed from an infected mother to her newborn during childbirth. Sharing contaminated sex toys or having multiple sexual partners increases the risk of contracting gonorrhoea. It is better to consult a doctor if the patient notices any signs or symptoms.

Diagnosis for Gonorrhoea

Early diagnosis can help doctors find the best treatment to eliminate a gonorrhoea infection. To find the exact condition of the patient, doctors prescribe a few tests, which include: Urine test - With the help of a urine test, doctors can find the bacteria which cause the infection. Fluid test - In this test, doctors use a swab to collect the fluid from the urethra, rectum, vagina, throat, or where the infection occurred.

Other diagnostic tests include nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and culture tests. It's essential to seek medical attention and get tested if there is a suspicion of gonorrhoea infection.

Sometimes people are hesitant or uncomfortable with diagnostic procedures. These people can use self-collection test kits, as these kits contain all the instructions and tools to collect a urine or fluid sample from the genitals, rectum or another infection site. Within a few days, the person receives the test results. This is the most convenient way to diagnose gonorrhoea infection.

Treatment Options for Gonorrhoea

Late treatment of gonorrhoea is the worst thing to happen to the patient. Therefore, early treatment is crucial to get rid of this infection.

Antibiotics- Doctors prescribe antibiotics to treat gonorrhoea. These antibiotics come in different forms, such as injection or oral solution. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics are ceftriaxone and azithromycin, given as a combination therapy. This dual therapy helps combat the bacteria effectively and reduces the risk of developing antibiotic resistance.
Refrain from Sexual Intercourse- Doctors also prescribe restricting or refraining from sexual intercourse for a few days.
Testing- It is also recommended to notify recent sexual partners, as they may also need testing and treatment. Regular follow-up testing is necessary to ensure the infection has been successfully cleared.

Risk factors for Gonorrhoea

Several risk factors can increase the chances of gonorrhoea infection. Let's see what they are:

Sex with multiple partners
Suffering from any other STD
Sex with a person who is infected by a gonorrhoea infection

Complications of Gonorrhoea

If left untreated, gonorrhoea can cause many complications.

The infection spreads and reaches other parts, such as the reproductive tract, and can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or is sometimes responsible for damaging reproductive organs.

In women,

It can be the reason for scarring of the fallopian tube, which further affects pregnancy.
If not treated on time, it can pass to a newborn baby during delivery.

In men,

Untreated gonorrhoea leads to scarring of the urethra, epididymitis, and a painful abscess inside the penis.

How can Gonorrhoea be Prevented?

Let's see some preventive measures anyone can take to prevent gonorrhoea. These include:

Use protection during sex as it reduces the chances of STDs.
Avoid multiple sex partners.
Regular checkups for sexually transmitted infections

When to Consult a Doctor

You can also get in touch with the expert Gynecology doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

Conclusion

Lastly, people who have had gonorrhoea in the past should be retested about three months after they complete treatment to ensure they don't have it again. Even if they had an effective treatment, they should use a condom and practise safe sex to prevent spreading the disease to others. Remember, with early treatment, it can be curable.

References

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/Gonorrhoea/symptoms-causes/syc-20351774
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/Gonorrhoea/how-do-i-prevent-Gonorrhoea
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/Gonorrhoea/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351780
https://www.healthline.com/health/Gonorrhoea