It infects both men and women, and usually affects the urethra, rectum and throat, while in women it can also affect the cervix. Gonorrhea is usually spread during sexual intercourse. However, there is a chance that infants can be infected during childbirth if the mother is ill. In babies, gonorrhea mainly affects the eyes.
In most cases, it is a common infection that often does not even show symptoms. However, its treatment is necessary in order not to cause serious and irreparable damage.
Symptoms
Gonorrhea can affect different areas of the body, but more preferably the genital system.
Reproductive system. Men experience pain during urination, purulent discharge, and pain or swelling of one testicle. Conversely, women experience increased vaginal discharge, pain during urination, vaginal bleeding between periods, as well as after vaginal penetration, as well as abdominal and pelvic pain.
Rectum. There may be itching in the perianal area, purulent discharge from the rectum, spots of bright red blood on the toilet paper, or discomfort from bowel movements.
Eyes. When gonorrhea affects the eyes (gonococcal ophthalmitis), it causes eye pain, sensitivity to light, and purulent discharge from one or both eyes.
Neck. In this case, there is a sore throat and swelling of the lymph nodes in the area.
Links. When one or more joints are infected by the bacteria (septic arthritis), they are hot, red, swollen and the pain is particularly sharp on movement.
Reasons
Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Usually, the bacterium is transmitted during sexual intercourse, including oral, anal and vaginal penetration.
Risk factors
Factors that may favor the transmission of gonorrhea are:
- The young age
- A new love partner
- The large number of sexual partners
- An earlier diagnosis of gonorrhea
Complications
If gonorrhea is not treated, it can cause serious damage, such as:
Infertility in women. Gonorrhea can spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease, scarring of the fallopian tubes, complications in any pregnancy, and even infertility. Pelvic inflammatory disease is a serious infection that needs immediate treatment.
Infertility in men. Gonorrhea can cause epididymitis, which is inflammation of the back of the testicles, where the sperm ducts (epididymis) are located. Epididymitis is curable, but if left untreated, it can lead to infertility.
Spread of the infection to the ligaments and other areas of the body. The bacteria that causes gonorrhea can spread through the bloodstream and infect other areas of the body, such as the ligaments. In this case, fever, skin rashes and sores, joint pain, swelling and stiffness are likely to occur.
Increased risk of HIV/AIDS. Gonorrhea makes the body more susceptible to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which leads to Aids. Patients suffering from both gonorrhea and HIV have an increased chance of transmitting both diseases to their sexual partners.
Complications in infants. Babies who contract gonorrhea from their mothers during childbirth can develop blindness, head sores, and other infections.
Examinations and diagnosis
To identify the gonorrhea bacteria in the body, a cell sample will need to be analyzed. The sample can be collected through:
Urine test. This analysis helps to identify the bacteria in the urethra.
Discharge from the affected area. It may be necessary to take a discharge from the throat, urethra, vagina or rectum and analyze it in the laboratory to identify the culprit bacteria.
Tests for other sexually transmitted diseases. Tests for other sexually transmitted diseases may also be needed, as gonorrhea increases the risk of such infections, especially chlamydia, which often accompany it. HIV testing is also recommended.
Treatments and medicines
Treatment for adults. In adults, gonorrhea is usually treated with antibiotics. As the bacterium presents drug-resistant strains, treatment consists of injecting ceftriaxone in combination with oral azithromycin or doxycycline.
Therapy for partners. Sexual partners should also be tested and treated for gonorrhea, even if they have no symptoms. The treatment followed is the same and is necessary in order to prevent re-infection of the original patient.
Treatment for infants. Babies born to infected mothers should receive special eye medicine immediately after birth. If eye disease develops, then antibiotic administration is necessary.