Gonorrhea

What is Gonorrhea?

Affecting the lives of eight hundred thousand individuals in the United States and costing the country 1.1 billion dollars every year, gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease not to be overlooked. This infection is caused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae; and, can infect both men and women.

It is spread through sexual contact with an infected person, through anal, vaginal or oral sex. So, these bacteria can actually infect the genitals, rectum (the final part of the large intestines), as well as the throat. Other factors that can increase your likelihood of getting infected are having multiple sexual partners, not using the condom properly and regularly, and having HIV. Also, it can be the result of a co-infection with another sexually-transmitted disease or having a sexual partner who has been diagnosed with gonorrhea. But, in general, one of the most dominant risk factors is being a sexually active adult, who is twenty-five years or younger, and who is involved in unprotected sex. Pregnant women, who have an active gonorrhea infection, can spread it to their baby during birth.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the only way to prevent gonorrhea is to abstain from any kind of sex. For those who are sexually active, being in a long-term relationship, that is monogamous, and involving a partner who is negative for any sexually transmitted diseases including gonorrhea, can lower your risk of getting infected. Also, using the latex condom, properly, every time you have sex, is essential.

Symptoms of gonorrhea can be different for both men and women. While most people do not show any symptoms, some do and these symptoms will not appear for many days after having a sexual encounter with an infected partner. Men normally report a burning sensation when urinating; having a white, yellow, or even greenish discharge from the penis; and, having painful swollen testicles. The latter is not very common. Women, on the other hand, might experience symptoms that could be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. Symptoms normally include having burning sensation while urinating, having increased vaginal discharge, or even experiencing some vaginal bleeding in between periods.

Men and women who engage in anal sex are also at risk of being infected with gonorrhea in their rectum. This kind of infection could also be a spread of the infection from the vagina. An infected rectum shows symptoms such as discharge, anal itching, soreness, bleeding, as well as having painful bowel movements. These symptoms are not to be ignored.

Why take the Gonorrhea test?

The gonorrhea test is the best tool to screen, diagnose, and assess to success of the treatment used to address a gonorrhea infection. Having a definite diagnosis is very important as signs and symptoms of gonorrhea can be absent, or similar to other sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia. In case of a positive diagnosis, the test would have to be repeated to ensure the eradication of the infection. This is normally done after three months from being treated.

Undetected, gonorrhea could lead to several long-term complications: the infection will be able to spread and the body. For women, complications can be very serious even if no symptoms are showing. These complications include chronic pelvic pain, becoming infertile, and being at high risk of having ectopic pregnancy. For men, these complications can comprise infertility, scarring or even closing of the urethra, and having an inflamed prostate gland. In some cases, complications can be as fatal as ending up with the blood infection, joints infections, heart infection, disseminated gonococcal infection, or even meningitis.

What can cause false results?

While the gonorrhea test results are not affected by external factors, some antibiotics may hinder the infection and lead to a false negative result. Also, women’s douches and vaginal cream can have and effect on the test result. Keep in mind, that menstruation does not effect results.

What your Gonorrhea test results mean?

Having a negative test result means that you have no active infection, at the time of the test. However, the absence of an active infection does not necessarily indicate that you will be protected from it.

Having a positive gonorrhea test result means that you have an active gonorrhea infection that needs to be treated with a course of antibiotics. If you are tested positive, your sexual partner or partners would also need to be tested and treated. The gonorrhea treatment plan can help cure the infection; however, if detected late, it does not help undo the damages caused by the bacteria. Keep in mind that you will have to take all the medications given by your health care provider. Also, never share your pills with your partner.

The U.S. Department Of Health And Human Services and the CDC explain that it is becoming harder to treat gonorrhea. The currently existing strains of this bacteria are shown to be drug-resistant. This means that antibiotics might not be able to eradicate the infection. If you were tested positive, are taking the treatment but still experiencing some symptoms few days after taking your medications; then, and it’s important for you to check with your doctor.

If you have been diagnosed with gonorrhea, you can only start having sex again seven days post-treatment. You have to finish the entire course of the treatment.

Where can I get a Gonorrhea test near me?

Please use our Lab Locator to find find a convenient testing location.

Reviewed By: Dr. Kurt Kloss, MD
Last Reviewed Date: Aug 12, 2022