HOME | TERMS & CONDITIONS | SITEMAP & ACCESSIBILITY | CONTACT
© Medicentre 2010 - 2012 and others where indicated. Medicentre recognises and acknowledges the ownership of all trademarks and product names where mentioned.
General Medical Clinics PLC. Registered office 2-3 Salisbury Court, London EC4Y 8AA. Tel 020 7427 0605

GONORRHOEA

Gonorrhoea is a common STI, almost as prevalent as Chlamydia. The bacterium grows easily in the female reproductive tract and both the male & female urethra. It can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes and anus, and is therefore easily transmitted through all kinds of sexual contact. It can be spread through non-sexual contact – for example touching your eyes after having touched infected sex organs. It is often transmitted from mother to baby. You cannot be infected through shaking hands or from a toilet seat.

Untreated Gonorrhoea can cause very serious and permanent problems, and can spread to the blood or joints, leading to life-threatening conditions. Like Chlamydia, women do not always show any obvious symptoms, but if they are present, it may include pain when passing urine, vaginal discharge and or bleeding between periods. Most men do display symptoms of infection within 5 days; a discharge from the urethra. It may also manifest itself as a sore throat if infection has taken place due to oral sex.

TESTING & TREATMENT

Testing for Gonorrhoea  is straightforward:  a simple and reliable urine test. Subsequent treatment is with antibiotics which cure the disease. Many people with gonorrhoea are also infected with Chlamydia, and so a combination of antibiotics is sometimes prescribed. It is essential that the entire course is completed, even if the symptoms appear to have gone away.

PLEASE NOTE:
The information provided is intended only as a general guide to provide an overview of the condition. It must not be relied upon for any medical purpose.
Symptoms can vary a great deal from person to person, and the symptoms for various conditions can be identical.  
We therefore advise strongly against any self-diagnosis or self treatment based on this information and indeed, as a general principle.

The identification and treatment of any condition should be conducted only by a medical professional after due consultation.

You are in Home > Sexual Health> STI Factfiles: Gonorrhoea