Gonorrhea
Overview
Causes
Gonorrhea is caused by bacteria. It spreads during oral, genital, or anal sex with an infected partner. Someone with gonorrhea can also pass the infection to a baby during childbirth.
Risk Factors
Gonorrhea is most common among sexually active young adults. The risk of STIs is higher in those with:
- A current STI or a history of an STI
- A new sex partner
- More than one sex partner
- A sex partner with an STI
It is also more common in people who do not use condoms or do not use them properly.
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Symptoms
Most people who have gonorrhea do not have symptoms. If they do have symptoms, they may appear 1 to 14 days after exposure. Some may not have symptoms for a month.
Genital problems may include:
- Discharge from the penis
- Abnormal vaginal discharge or unusual vaginal bleeding
- Belly pain
- Burning when passing urine
- Itching
Rectal symptoms may be:
- Itching
- Soreness
- Bleeding
- Painful stools
Female Reproductive System Organs |
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Untreated gonorrhea can cause severe infections in the:
- Joints
- Brain
- Eyes
- Heart
Treatments
Treatment
Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics. All sex partners should be tested and treated.
Many forms of gonorrhea are resistant to common antibiotics. Other antibiotics will be tried to treat the infection. Testing will help to make sure the infection has been stopped.
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
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