Author’s Bio: Saher B.Haider has a Pharmacy degree and is a freelance writer in the health and
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What is Gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea (also known as the clap) is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in the US that affects both men and women. It is a bacterial infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhea. A person infected with gonorrhea can transmit the disease to his/her sexual partners through vaginal, anal, and oral sex. The CDC data for epidemiological studies shows:

Approximately 1.14 million in the US are infected with gonorrhea every year.
In 2018 alone, more than 5 million cases were reported to the CDC.
The infection particularly persists among young people. About 50% of gonorrhea infections occur in individuals within the age bracket of 15-25.

What does gonorrhea look like?

The infection can occur in the mouth and genitalia. It can infect both men and women. However, most women with gonorrhea are asymptomatic, meaning they do not have any symptoms or have mild and non-specific symptoms.

The infection can affect the genitalia, mouth, eyes, and throat. People with gonorrhea have white or yellowish, pus-filled discharge that carries the bacteria. Unprotected oral, vaginal, and anal sex can transmit the virus.

Gonorrhea symptoms in women

More than 50% of the women with the infection have little or no symptoms and may transmit the
disease to their partner. In symptomatic women, the most common symptoms of gonorrhea are:

Gonorrhea in vagina

Frequent urination
Burning sensation during urination
Watery yellowish or greenish vaginal discharge with pus which often smells like mushroom
Swelling of and around genitals
Redness of the genitals
Burning and itching in and around the vaginal area
Less common symptoms include pain in the abdominal area, heavy bleeding between periods, and bleeding after sex.

Untreated gonorrhea in women can lead to serious complications that may involve the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes.

Gonorrhea symptoms in men

The main symptoms in men are similar to those in women. These include:

Frequent and painful urination
White, yellowish, or greenish colored pussy discharge from the tip of the penis
Swelling and redness around the genitalia
A less common symptom in men includes pain and tenderness in the testicles.

Gonorrhea in mouth, throat, or eyes

The disease can also infect the mouth, throat, or eyes, a condition known as oral gonorrhea. The most common symptoms are:

Burning and swollen glands in the throat, which are often painful
Flu-like symptoms, particularly sore throat
Inflammation of eyes causing itch, redness, that is often accompanied by pussy discharge

Who is at the highest risk for gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is one of the most common STDs out there, meaning sexually active people are at the highest risk for contracting the illness. Likewise, individuals with multiple sexual partners are at a greater risk of getting infected and transmitting it to others. In the US, the highest reported cases come from teenagers and young adults. Periodic testing of gonorrhea can limit its spread and reduce the risk of its transmission. CDC Recommends:

Yearly testing of sexually active women under 25 years of age
Older sexually active women who have multiple sex partners
Testing for gonorrhea if your sex partner has an STD
Avoid polygamous relationships and having multiple sex partners
Use latex condoms to minimize the risk of transmission
Testing for other STDs if you or your partner has the infection

Can gonorrhea be cured?

Untreated gonorrhea can worsen the symptoms and cause complications. It also increases the risk of contracting and transmitting HIV. The good news is that it can be completely cured with the right treatment. Since it is a bacterial infection, uncomplicated gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics.

How to treat gonorrhea?

The first-line treatment approved for gonorrhea includes oral antibiotics. The disease tends to come
back after treatment, and this is why the CDC recommends retesting every three months after the treatment or within a year after treatment.

Common treatment options prescribed for the infection are:

Ceftriaxone
Doxycycline
Cefixime
Azithromycin

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Sources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Gonorrhea – CDC Fact Sheet (Deatiled Version).” December 14, 2020. January 07, 2021.
Fleming, D.T. Wasserheit, J.N. “From epidemiological synergy to public health policy and practice: the contribution of other sexually transmitted diseases to sexual transmission of HIV infection”The National Institutes of Health, February 1999. January 07, 2021.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Gonococcal Infections.” December 18, 2020. January 07, 2021.