Gonorrhea

Overview

Gonorrhea is an infectious sexually transmitted disease (STD) that affects primarily the mucous membrane of the genital tract, the urinary tract, the rectum and sometimes the eyes. This disease is caused by a bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Most cases occur in the age group of 15- to 25-year-olds, but you can contract it at any age. Discharges from the involved mucous membranes are the source of the infection--contact with infected mucous membranes may result in the spread of the infection. The bacteria are transmitted by direct sexual contact.

Gonorrhea may affect as many as 2 million people each year in the United States alone. The problem with gonorrhea is that many infections may be asymptomatic, but this does not mean the infection is not causing damage.

The incubation period--the period of time from actual infection to active disease--for gonorrhea is 2 to 7 days, sometimes longer.

Gonorrhea rates among adults have declined over the past 10 years, while rates among adolescents have remained unchanged or, by some estimations, have risen. Teenage girls between the ages of 15 and 20 have the highest rates of gonorrhea, according to the Center for Diseases Control (CDC).

Symptoms

Men usually suffer inflammation of the urethra, with pus and painful urination. Gonorrhea can spread to the epididymis (the structure attached to the testicle that helps transport sperm). This can create scar tissue which can cause a man to become sterile. Men affected with gonorrhea may be asymptomatic--meaning, they may have no symptoms.

With women, infection may occur in the vagina, the urethra, the cervix or the throat. Many women will have symptoms of a discharge of pus from the vagina. Some women--about half--will have no symptoms at all until the disease has progressed to a more advanced stage. If the fallopian tubes become involved, the infection becomes very serious. Without treatment, a woman with gonorrhea can develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can leave her infertile.

In both young men and young women, gonorrhea can cause a fever and painful joints.

Treatment

Getting tested is very important if you are sexually active. Don't panic--gonorrhea can be cured if you take your medication as directed by your health care provider.

Prevention

Practicing abstinence, using condoms and spermicide, and asking partners for their STD testing status are all ways that can help prevent you from contracting gonorrhea.