What is Gonorrhea? How to find its symptoms?
What is gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) which is also called Sexually transmitted infections (STI). It is caused by infection with the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium. Gonorrhea infects the mucous membranes of the reproductive tract, including the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes in women, and the urethra in women and men. It can have serious health complications, especially for sex health of a person, if left untreated.
How does it spread?
The bacteria which are responsible for Gonorrhea are primarily transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person, in other words, it discharges from the male penis and in vaginal fluids. The infection can be contracted through vaginal, anal or oral intercourse with an infected person. This is a serious situation where a mother who is a victim of Gonorrhea can pass the infection to her baby during childbirth, leading to neonatal Gonorrhea.
What are the Symptoms?
The Symptoms of Gonorrhea are slightly different in men and women.
Sometimes women do not experience any symptoms. This way the untreated and unnoticed gonorrhea can cause a serious issue. If you experience symptoms within a day or after several days of exposure, it’s important to seek treatment, as untreated symptoms can lead to various complications.
The symptoms are relatively mild. To elaborate further, you can find infections very similar to vaginal yeast or other bacterial infections, which can make Gonorrhea to be undetected.
Symptoms in women may include:
- Unusual genital or vaginal discharge (thicker or colored)
- Pain or burning sensation while urinating
- Pain during penetrative vaginal sex
- An urge to urinate more
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Pain in your lower abdomen
Symptoms in men may include:
Greater frequency or urgency of urination
- A pus-like discharge or drips from your penis (thicker or abnormal color i.e., yellow, white, beige or greenish)
- Changes in color and swelling of the testicles can develop if gonorrhea is not treated.
- Burning sensation while urinating
- Rectal bleeding or discharge
The other symptoms of gonorrhea can be:
Oral Gonorrhea often shows no symptoms, but when it does, they may include:
● Impact on the mouth and throat
● A persistent sore throat
● Throat inflammation and redness
● Swelling in the lymph nodes of your neck
Sometimes it can cause fever (in rare cases). Gonorrhea can also affect the eyes if you touch your genitals or the site of the infection and then touch your eye before thoroughly washing your hands.
The Gonorrheal conjunctivitis or gonorrhea of the eye, can include:
● Eye pain, irritation and tenderness
● Eyelid swelling
● Eye inflammation and redness
● Strongly white or yellow mucus around your eye.
Testing process
A healthcare professional can diagnose gonorrhea through various tests, such as:
● Testing your urine: Sometime, an infection can be detected through a urine test
● Testing a sample of fluid: A professional can swab your penis, vagina, throat or rectum to get a sample of fluid.
● Testing your blood: In uncommon cases, a healthcare provider might employ a blood culture to identify gonorrhea. Nevertheless, this test might not yield definitive results.
You’ll generally receive results within a few days. If you have concerns about a possible gonorrhea infection, it is crucial to abstain from any sexual activity until you receive a negative test result.
Treatment Process
According to the NHS, most STDs can be treated effectively with antibiotics such as ceftriaxone and azithromycin. It is important for the infected person and the partner to complete the entire prescribed course. Even though symptoms are less intense, you need to ensure complete eradication of the bacteria by following the course and the regular testing.
With an early detection and proper treatment, it leads to improvement within a few days or a week. You need to attend a follow-up appointment with your doctor to have another test can be carried out to see if you’re clear from infection or need more help.
During the treatment avoid having any type of sex (not even with condoms or internal protection such as dams), until treatment is finished. Some strains of gonorrhea are now resistant to many antibiotics. Your GP doctor will know what antibiotic to prescribe based on the current treatment guidelines.
The safest way to prevent STIs or STDs is through abstinence. And of course, you need appropriate contraception and taking other precautions, such as:
● Using male condoms or female condoms every time you have vaginal sex or male condoms during anal sex.
● Using a condom to shield the penis or a latex or plastic square (dam) to cover the female genitals if you have oral sex.
● Refrain from sharing sex toys to ensure that they are thoroughly cleaned and covered with a new condom before shared use.
Another important thing is to share and have an open conversation with your new partner before beginning a sexual relationship. It’s also advisable to communicate with your current partner(s) regarding their STI status and testing, and ensure you undergo regular testing yourself.
Is Gonorrhea treatable in Thailand
If you are seeking treatment specifically for Gonorrhea in Thailand. You can see doctors at Wellmed Bangkok Clinic who offer top-notch health care services including advanced diagnostic facilities and skilled medical professionals. If you believe you’ve been at risk of contracting gonorrhea or are showing symptoms, seeking medical care promptly is crucial to prevent complications and ensure a swift recovery.
It is a common and treatable sexually transmitted infection. If you have concerns about possible exposure to Gonorrhea or are experiencing symptoms, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Wellmed Bangkok Clinic offers reliable testing and effective treatment options to ensure your well-being and protect your sexual health.