Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a curable sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is among the most common sexually-transmitted diseases in the world. The term comes from gonórrhoia, literally "flow of seed"; in ancient times it was thought that the pus discharge associated with the disease contained semen. More serious clinical syndromes may follow, with ascending involvement of the reproductive tract or systemic spread. Infection is due to N gonorrhoeae , a highly infectious gram-negative diplococcal organism. It is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae , a bacterium that can grow and multiply easily in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, including the cervix (opening to the womb), uterus (womb), and fallopian tubes (egg canals) in women, and in the urethra (urine canal) in women and men. Sometimes referred to as the clap, gonorrhea often is characterized by thick discharge from the penis or vagina. The gonorrhea germs are found in the mucous areas of the body (the vagina, penis, throat and rectum). The disease spreads through semen or vaginal fluids during unprotected sexual contact, heterosexual or homosexual, with an infected partner.

Gonorrhea is reported more frequently from urban areas than from rural areas. Gonorrhoea among females can also be transmitted from one individual to another via contact to surfaces that may still be damp from prior contact. Disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI) occurs following approximately 1% of genital infections. Patients with DGI may present with symptoms of rash, fever, arthralgias, migratory polyarthritis, septic arthritis, endocarditis, or meningitis. Gonorrhea can be passed even if the penis or tongue does not go all the way into the vagina or anus. The bacterium can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes, and anus. It can spread into the uterus and fallopian tubes, resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID affects more than 1 million women in this country every year and can cause tubal (ectopic) pregnancy and infertility in as many as 10 percent of infected women. When the infection occurs in the genital tract, mouth, or rectum of a child, it is most commonly due to sexual abuse. About three out of four reported cases of gonorrhea in the United States occur in people younger than 30. Treatment for gonorrhea involves a course of antibiotic medications to eliminate the infection. Practicing safe sex is important in preventing gonorrhea.

Causes of Gonorrhea

The common causes and risk factor's of Gonorrhea include the following:

• Bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
• Sexually active adolescents.
• Use of an intrauterine device.
• It can also be passed from mother to newborn as the baby passes through the infected birth canal.
• Persons with a new sex partner.

Symptoms of Gonorrhea

Some sign and symptoms related to Gonorrhea are as follows:

• Bleeding between menstrual periods.
• Men infected with gonorrhea will have burning while urinating and a yellowish white discharge from the penis.
• Anal itching.
• Fever.
• Soreness.
• Thick, cloudy or bloody discharge from the penis or vagina.
• Frequent urination.
• Pain during sexual intercourse.

Treatment of Gonorrhea

Here is list of the methods for treating Gonorrhea:

• Antibiotics are used to cure gonorrhea.
• Penicillin - once the most useful treatment but now there are resistent strains and other antibiotics are used.
• Repeat aspiration of purulent joint effusions may improve patient comfort and speed recovery.
• Patients with gonorrhea should also be treated for chlamydia (unless testing has ruled out chlamydia infection).
• Sexual contact should be avoided until the patient and all partner(s) have been treated and cured.
• Pain relief may be needed for patients with epididymitis, PID, and DGI.
• If you are pregnant or younger than 18, the doctor will usually prescribe the shot instead of a pill.

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