Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
This common STI tends to target warm, moist areas of the body, including the urethra, or tube that drains urine from the bladder, eyes, throat, vagina, anus, female reproductive tract, which includes the fallopian tubes, cervix, and uterus
Gonorrhea can affect people of any age or gender, but it’s particularly among teens and young adults between the ages of 15 and 24. Untreated gonorrhea can lead to long-term health concerns and, in some cases, infertility. But treatment with antibiotics can cure the infection and help lower your chances of experiencing health complications.
How is gonorrhea transmitted?
You can contract or transmit gonorrhea by having oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
Using a condom or other barrier method when engaging in sexual activity can go a long way toward lowering your chances of transmitting or contracting STIs like gonorrhea. Just keep in mind these barrier methods won’t always completely eliminate your risk, especially if you don’t use them properly.
If you’ve developed gonorrhea before, you have a higher chance of contracting it again. Untreated gonorrhea can also increase your riskTrusted Source of contracting other STIs. Gonorrhea can also be transmitted from birthing parent to baby during delivery.
Symptoms of gonorrhea
If you have a penis
Burning or pain during urination may be the first symptom you notice.
Other possible symptoms include:
greater frequency or urgency of urination
a pus-like discharge or drip from your penis (this discharge could be yellow, white, beige, or greenish)
discoloration and swelling at the penis opening
testicular swelling or pain
itching and soreness in your anus
rectal bleeding or discharge
Treatment of gonorrhea
Modern antibiotics can cure gonorrhea, in most cases.
You can’t treat gonorrhea with over the counter or home remedies. If you think you could have gonorrhea, or a sexual partner receives a positive test result, you’ll need to get a diagnosis and treatment from a healthcare professional.
The recommended treatment Trusted Source for gonorrhea is a one-time intramuscular injection of the antibiotic ceftriaxone. Typically, you’ll get this shot in the buttocks. A healthcare professional will likely also prescribe an oral medication, such as: a twice-daily dose of doxycycline for 7 days
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