Gonorrhea

You may have heard of this STI by other names such as "the clap" or "a dose." Gonorrhea is a common STI which, if not treated early, can cause serious health problems, especially for women.

Gonorrhea in women left untreated could lead to a painful, long-term condition called PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) and infertility (the inability to have children).

A pregnant woman can pass gonorrhea to her baby during birth, and cause a serious eye infection or blindness.

You can get gonorrhea from oral, vaginal and anal sex.

The symptoms and signs

If you catch gonorrhea from having sex with an infected partner, you might not notice any symptoms. If you do, they will appear three to five days after sex.

Even if you don't have symptoms, you can have gonorrhea and you can pass it on to others.

What to look for

Females:

• new or different discharge from the vagina
• a burning feeling when urinating
• pain in the lower abdomen
• fever and chills
• pain during sex
• vaginal bleeding between periods
• vaginal bleeding after intercourse
• possible rectal pain
• rectal discharge

Males:

• discharge from the penis, may be thick and yellow-green in colour
• burning feeling when urinating
• pain or swelling in the testicles
• possible rectal pain
• rectal discharge

To test for gonorrhea, a swab of the area is usually taken or a new urine test may be used at some centres.

How gonorrhea is treated

Gonorrhea can often be treated with just one dose of antibiotics taken by mouth and can be cured. But you can get it again right away from your partner if he/she isn't treated as well. See a doctor or go to a clinic and, if you have gonorrhea, tell your partner.

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