Gonorrhea

The sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoea. It is the second most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States, behind only chlamydia among STDs of the bacterial origin. A total of 355,991 cases of gonorrhea were reported to the Center for Disease Control in 2007.http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/stds.htm

Gonorrhea can be spread during oral, vaginal or anal sex with an infected partner. Gonorrhea can be asymptomatic, in fact it is estimated that 30 to 40 percent of the time, there are no symptoms whatsoever to tip someone off that they might be infected.http://www.emedicinehealth.com/gonorrhea/page3_em.htm#Gonorrhea%20Symptoms

However, although a person may not have symptoms, transmission of gonorrhea is still possible. It has been determined through studies that a male has a roughly 20 percent chance of being infected with gonorrhea from a single act of vaginal intercourse with an infected woman. Conversely, a woman has a much higher chance, 60 to 80 percent, of being infected after one act of vaginal intercourse with a man infected with the disease.

Gonorrhea can be treated with antibiotics. Originally, doctors would recommend a type of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones to deal with gonorrhea and its symptoms. In recent years, however, the bacteria has mutated and become more resistant to that type of antibiotic, leading the CDC to recommend a new course of attack. That recommendation is that the class of antibiotics known as cephalosporins should be the drug of choice to treat the disease.http://www.emedicinehealth.com/gonorrhea/page7_em.htm#Medications

Should gonorrhea be left untreated, there are several serious complications that can arise.

In men, inflammation in the urethra, prostate and the epididymis can result. In women, things can be even more serious: some women contract pelvic inflammatory disease, which is a disease that leaves the pelvic area in chronic pain and may lead to infertility. In some cases, septic abortion, where a miscarriage takes place due to an infection in the pelvic area, occurs.http://health.discovery.com/encyclopedias/illnesses.html?article=1962

Other potential issues are septic arthritis of the fingers, wrists, toes and ankles, an increased risk for HIV or AIDS, and in the case of pregnant mothers passing the disease on to their child, blindness, joint infections and sores on the scalp may also occur.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gonorrhea/DS00180/DSECTION=complications

• Estimate: About 700,000 new cases each yearCDC: STD Facts - Gonorrhea
• Cases actually reported in 2006: 358,366CDC: STD Facts - Gonorrhea

• Cloudy or bloody discharge from penis or vagina
• Pain or burning during urination
• Urinating frequently
• Pain during sex

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you have gonorrhea, please consult your doctor.