What is Gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by bacteria. The disease can lead to serious health problems in men and women who have the infection. Gonorrhea is a common STDs among people who are sexually active in Nunavut.

The best way to protect you from gonorrhea is by not having sex at all. If you choose to have sex, use a latex condom every time you have vaginal, anal or oral sex.

If you are in a relationship and you want to have sex without using a condom every time, you and your partner must get tested to be sure that neither of you has any STD. You must be having sex with only one person who only has sex with you.

How is Gonorrhea spread?
Gonorrhea is spread from an infected person to another person through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex. An infection can also be passed from an infected pregnant woman to her unborn child, in the form of eye, ear or lung infections – possibly even blindness. Because not everyone who is infected has physical signs, people may pass the infection on without knowing it.

How do I know if I have Gonorrhea?
Many people who are infected with gonorrhea do not have any physical signs (symptoms). Even if you do not have physical signs, if you have had unprotected sex with someone you may be at risk of gonorrhea. It is important that you get tested.
If you develop physical signs, they usually appear 3 to 5 days after being infected. Physical signs are different in Females and Males. They may include one or more of the following:
• Unusual liquid (discharge) coming from the vagina.
• Abnormal bleeding from the vagina (between periods).
• A burning or painful feeling when peeing or having anaq (poo).
• Pain or bleeding, during or after sex.
• Pain in the lower stomach.
• Fever and chills.
• Thick yellow-green or white liquid coming from the penis.
• Tingling or itching inside the penis.
• A burning or painful feeling when peeing or having anaq (poo).
• The need to pee more often.
• Pain or swelling in the testicles (balls).

In both Females and Males, gonorrhea infection can occur in the rectum and throat. This is spread by anal or oral sex.

How do you test for it and how is it treated?
Your health care provider can give you a simple urine test, or swab that will tell you if you are infected. If you do have gonorrhea, it can be treated with a single dose of antibiotics, given to you by a doctor or nurse. It is important that you get treated right away, because untreated gonorrhea leads to more serious health problems. If you do not get treatment right away, the infection can lead to the following problems:

In Females:
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), a painful and serious infection in the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries.
• Infertility (inability to get pregnant).
• Tubal pregnancies and miscarriages.
• Heart trouble, skin disease, arthritis and blindness.

In Males:
• The infection can spread to the testicles and prostate glands and may cause infertility.
• Heart trouble, skin disease, arthritis and blindness.
• May cause infertility (can not make a woman pregnant).

If you have an STD, such as gonorrhea, the people that you have had sex with must be tested to find out if they have it too. A public health nurse can help you tell them privately. All your information will be kept confidential.