Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection.
Though gonorrhea infection was on the decline, the number of people with gonorrhea infection is on the rise in Canada. The bacteria is also becoming resistant to certain types of antibiotics. The number of reported cases of gonorrhea in Canada nearly doubled from 1997 to 2004.
Transmission
Gonorrhea is spread through unprotected oral, anal, and vagina sex with an infected partner.
Prevention
Condoms during anal and vaginal sex, and condoms/dental dams during oral sex can be used to protect against the spread of gonorrhea.
Symptoms
Gonorrhea infection may occur in the rectum, penis, cervix, or throat.
Both men and women may have no symptoms, and sometimes a woman's symptoms may be mistaken for a bladder or urinary tract infection.
Remember: infected people who have no visible symptoms can still pass the infection to others.
Those who do have symptoms usually experience them within 2 to seven days after infection, though it can take up to 30 days. Throat infections may cause a sore throat, though symptoms are rare.
Symptoms for women:
- Burning during urination
- Rectal pain, itching, bleeding, discharge
- Vaginal bleeding or pain
- Yellowish-white vaginal discharge
- discharge from the penis
- burning when urinating
- painful/swollen testicles
Testing and Treatment
Testing for gonorrhea requires a simple urine sample.
Oral antibiotics can usually cure a gonorrhea infection in just one dose, but it can be reacquired immediately after treatment. Some may be resistant to certain antibiotics. Your recent sexual partners should also be informed as they may require testing and/or treatment.
Impact if not treated
Untreated gonorrhea can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in women, which can cause chronic pelvic pain, infertility and ectopic pregnancy.
Infection can be passed from mother to child during birth, causing serious eye infections or blindness. For men, infection can cause prostatitis as well as epididymitis (inflammation of a small organ which sits at the top of the testes), which can cause infertility. In both sexes, gonorrhea can infect joints, skin, heart, and brain and cause permanent damage.
What do I tell my partner?
Not everyone who is infected with gonorrhea will have visible symptoms, and people without symptoms can still pass along the infection. Even if you have symptoms, it doesn't mean your partner (if they're infected) will, too. If untreated, gonorrhea can have serious health effect, but it can also be cured relatively easily. So be honest with your partner, explain what's involved in the testing and treatment, and offer to accompany him or her if possible.
When can I have sex again?
Ask your healthcare professional since it depends on the type of treatment you receive. Usually, with single dose treatment, you should not have sex until 7 days after treatment.