Gonorrhea is an infection caused by a sexually transmitted bacterium that infects both males and females. Gonorrhea most often affects the urethra, rectum or throat.
In females, gonorrhea can also infect the cervix.
Gonorrhea is most commonly spread during vaginal, oral or anal sex. But babies of infected mothers can be infected during childbirth.
In babies, gonorrhea most commonly affects the eyes.
CAUSES
Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. They thrive in warm, moist environments, and the infection can develop in any of the body’s mucous membranes, including those in the genitals, mouth, throat, eyes, and rectum.
Gonorrhea can pass from person to person through sexual contact that involves the penis, vagina, anus, or mouth. It can pass on without a male ejaculating. Gonorrhea can also transmit to a newborn during delivery.
SYMPTOMS
Many people with gonorrhea have no symptoms.
Those who do often experience a burning sensation during urination.
A person with a penis might also notice:
?️white, green, or yellow discharge
?️pain or swelling in the testicles
?️inflammation or swelling of the foreskin
A person with a vagina might have:
?️increased vaginal discharge and bleeding between periods.
?️Rectal symptoms may also occur if a person has anal sex.
These may include:
– discharge
– itching around the anus
– soreness
– bleeding
– pain during bowel movements
If gonorrhea results from oral sex, the infection can be located in the throat, but it may cause no symptoms. Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection, and if semen or vaginal fluid that contains this bacteria enters the eye, the person may develop conjunctivitis, commonly called “pink eye.”
COMPLICATIONS
Untreated gonorrhea can lead to major complications, such as:
?️Infertility in women.
?️Infertility in men.
?️Infection that spreads to the joints and other areas of your body.
?️ Increased risk of HIV/AIDS.
?️ Complications in babies.
TREATMENT
Everyone with gonorrhea needs treatment to stop the infection from progressing. The treatment involves antibiotics.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a single dose of 500 milligrams of intramuscular ceftriaxone (Rocephin).
* Addition of 3 days dose of azithromycin 500mg or 1g
* 5 days dose of ofloxacin 200mg or levofloxacine 500mg can also be used
* A immune defense supplement can also be added
PREVENTION
Abstaining from sex, using a condom if you have sex and being in a mutually monogamous relationship are the best ways to prevent sexually transmitted infections.
Written by: Ruth Olusegun
