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Gonorrhea
Health Services > Sexually Transmitted Infections > Gonorrhea
Approximately 600,000 gonorrhea infections occur each year. Since ancient times, gonorrhea has been known to cause infection. Gonorrhea is transmitted by sexual contact. Its transmission is dependent on the site infected and exposed, as well as the number of exposures. 50-90% of women exposed to gonorrhea by an infected male will get gonorrhea. 20% of men exposed to gonorrhea by an infected female will get gonorrhea with a single exposure, which rises to 60-80% following four exposures. There is virtually no evidence that transmission occurs from toilet seats or similar objects.
Sometimes women never develop symptoms when they are infected with gonorrhea. If symptoms are present, you may notice increased vaginal discharge sometimes yellow or greenish in color, pain with intercourse, and lower abdominal discomfort. Symptoms may appear within ten days after exposure. The most common complication of gonorrhea in women is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). PID is an infection that can involve the uterus, ovaries and tubes. It can lead to a very serious or even life-threatening illness, it may also be difficult to get pregnant in the future.
Men will usually develop symptoms when they are infected with gonorrhea. Most men will notice discharge from the penis within 3-5 days, and fewer within 14 days of having sex with an infected partner. It is unusual for a man not to have symptoms, but they can pass gonorrhea to a partner with or without symptoms.
There are many medications that cure gonorrhea. The clinician will prescribe the medication she thinks is best for you. It is very important that your partner also receive medicine to cure gonorrhea. Do not have sex until you and your partner are done with all your medications.
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