Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD).

Causes

Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which is transmitted during vaginal, oral, or anal sexual intercourse.

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
  • Multiple sex partners
  • Age: 15-29
  • Sexual intercourse with a partner who has a history of any STD
  • Having sex without a condom
  • History of having a sexually transmitted disease

Symptoms

Symptoms of Gonorrhea range from absent to severe. If symptoms develop, they usually appear within 2 - 10 days after sexual contact with an infected partner. However, in some cases, symptoms do not occur for up until a month after exposure.
People with gonorrhea may experience some, all, or none of the following symptoms Men
  • Discharge from the penis
  • Burning sensation while urinating
  • Tender or swollen testicles
Women
  • Burning sensation while urinating
  • Abnormal vaginal discharge
  • Abdominal pain
  • Unusual vaginal bleeding
Men and Women
  • Anal itching
  • Soreness
  • Bleeding
  • Painful bowel movements
  • Eye infections
  • Blood infections

Diagnosis

Three tests are commonly used to diagnose Gonorrhea:
Gram stain
A smear of the discharge from the penis or cervix is placed on a slide and stained with a dye. A doctor examines it under a microscope for the presence of bacteria. This test is more accurate for men than women.
Nucleic Acid Probe Test
A swab of discharge or urine is tested for substances called nucleic acids that specifically identify gonorrhea.
Laboratory Analysis
A smear of the discharge is taken and sent to the lab for culture. After two days, the culture is checked to see if the bacteria that cause gonorrhea have grown.

Treatment

If you have Gonorrhea your doctor may prescribe one of the following antibiotics:
  • Ceftriaxone
  • Cefixime
  • Ciprofloxacin
  • Ofloxacin
It is important to take all of the medication as prescribed. All of your sexual partners should be tested and treated. If gonorrhea is left untreated:
If gonorrhea is not treated, the consequences can be serious for both men and women, and can affect the following areas:
In Men
  • Testicles: Gonorrhea may cause epididymitis, a painful condition of the testicles that may lead to infertility.
  • Prostate: The prostate may be affected if gonorrhea is left untreated.
  • Urethra: Gonorrhea can cause scarring on the inside of the urethra, which can create difficulty while urinating.
In Women
  • Reproductive organs: Gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a serious infection that can affect fertility. PID causes scar tissue to form in the fallopian tubes.

Treatment

Treatment will depend on:
  • Your age
  • Severity of symptoms
  • Cause of hyperthyroidism
  • Pregnancy status
Treatment options include: Anti-thyroid Drugs
Antithyroid drugs suppress thyroid activity. They are best suited for Graves Disease. If the Graves' disease goes away, you can stop taking the medication.
Radioiodine
Radioactive iodine is taken orally and absorbed by the thyroid gland where it damages some of the thyroid cells. The damaged cells can no longer produce thyroid hormones. Within days, the excess radioactive iodine either passes out of the body in the urine or changes into a nonradioactive state. If too much of your thyroid is destroyed, you will need to take a daily thyroid supplement.
Surgery
Hyperthyroidism can be cured by surgically removing most of the thyroid gland (called subtotal thyroidectomy). Most patients take anti-thyroid medication prior to surgery. If the surgery leaves you with too little production of thyroid hormone, you will need to take a daily thyroid supplement.
Beta Blockers
Until the treatments above take effect, you may need to take beta-blockers to relieve rapid heart rate and jitters.

Prevention

The most effective way to prevent Gonorrhea is sexual abstinence. Other preventive measures include:
  • Always use latex condoms during sexual activity
  • Have sex with only one partner (who has sex only with you)
  • Have regular checkups for sexually transmitted diseases
Use of other barrier methods of contraception, such as a diaphragm, may also partially prevent Gonorrhea.