Gonorrhea

Introduction

Sexually transmitted diseases or infections commonly occur by sexual contact, which leads to cancer, HIV, pregnancy complications, infertility, and infections to other parts of the body. Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoea, a human pathogen that is spread through sexual intercourse when the male and female have close contact with the genitals or body fluids. The incubation period of this infection is generally 3 to 5 days. It is highly contagious and causes worldwide morbidity and it usually affects the young population like other sexually transmitted diseases. A person who has a gonorrhea infection can become affected again by intercourse with a partner who is already infected, therefore, the previous infection does not support the immunity and it may be able to cause repeated infections to others.

Transmission modes

• Gonorrhea is transmitted through sexual intercourse by vaginal contact or oral sex without using condoms. It is transmitted from men to women rather than from women to men.

• This can be transmitted from the infected mother to the child immediately after birth.

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms can be noticeable within 30 days and it even takes some weeks to appear. It may be symptomatic in men and asymptomatic in women, however, the infection is transmittable to other partners.

Symptoms for males

• Frequent urination

• Inflammation and pain in testicles

• Discolouration and swelling at the opening of the penis

• Rectal bleeding

• Conjunctivitis

• Pus discharge from the penis

Symptoms for females

• The symptoms appear very mild in females and it seems most similar to the symptoms of other bacterial infections or vaginal yeast, therefore it is more difficult to recognize.

• Urgent, frequent, and painful urination

• Sharp pain in the lower abdomen

• Heavier or spotted periods

• Conjunctivitis

• Painful bowel movements

• Rectal bleeding

Gonorrhea also affects various regions of the body including

• Throat − Consistent sore throat and sore lymph nodes in the neck

• Eye − Pain, pus discharge, and sensitivity to light

• Joints − Warm, extremely painful, red, and inflamed joints

Diagnosis

Gonorrhea can be diagnosed by using lab tests as follows −

• Urine samples are collected to identify the presence of bacteria in the urethra which causes the infection.

• A swab sample is collected from the vagina or rectum and throat when a person is suspected to have symptoms of gonorrhea such as rectal infections.

• The recommended method for testing gonorrheal infections is the Nucleic Acid Amplification Technique (NAAT) which determines the genetic material of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the collected urine or swab samples.

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Complications

• Gonorrheal infections are uncomplicated in the absence of spreading to extragenital areas. However, this gives serious effects, when it is untreated.

• Epididymitis is a condition developed in males with untreated gonorrhea and is characterized by pain or inflammation of the tubes close to the testicle, which carry semen. It includes the symptoms of fever and scrotal pain.

• Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes in females with untreated gonorrhea. It leads to prolonged pelvic pain and may cause permanent injury to the reproductive tract resulting in infertility. It also provides a greater risk of ectopic pregnancy that is the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus.

• The bacteria can enter the bloodstream in rare cases and damage other parts of the body including the skin, internal organs, and joints with the symptoms of fever, skin rashes, sores, pain, and swelling.

• Both males and females can experience blood infections when gonorrhea is untreated and it causes damage to heart valves, inflammation of the spinal cord, and arthritis.

Treatment

Gonorrhea cannot be treated by using home remedies. This sexually transmittable infection can be cured with oral or injectable antibiotics. A single antibiotic intramuscular injection of ceftriaxone and a single dose of azithromycin is the most common treatment for gonorrhea.

Some other antibiotics used to cure gonorrheal infections are as follows −

• Penicillin

• Tetracycline

• Ciprofloxacin

• Cefixime

• Ofloxacin

Prevention

• Avoid sexual intercourse and be responsible by restricting the number of sexual partners.

• Condom is a barrier method that is used to prevent the chances of transmitting or spreading sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea.

• Proper hand washing is important to prevent the transfer of bacteria into the eyes.

• Rapid diagnosis and immediate treatment of contacts.

• Increase awareness by imparting health education programs.

Conclusion

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection that is caused by a human pathogen and it is highly contagious, particularly in the young population. The sexual intercourse of men and women between vaginal contact and oral sex results in gonorrhea. Frequent urination, inflammation and pain in testicles in men, conjunctivitis, irregular periods in females, and rectal bleeding are the common symptoms of this infection. It can be identified by testing the urine and swab samples of the rectum, vagina, and throat. It is commonly treated using oral antibiotics or injections. These can be prevented by proper handwashing, avoidance of sexual contact with the affected person, using condoms, imparting awareness, and immediate diagnosis.

FAQs

Q1. What are the symptoms of gonorrhea in females?

• Abdominal pain

• An unusual thin, watery, vaginal discharge,

• Heavy or spotted periods,

• Rectal bleeding,

• Conjunctivitis,

• Painful or burning sensation and frequent urination

Q2. How is gonorrhea spread from one person to another?

• Gonorrhea is transmitted through sexual intercourse by vaginal contact or oral sex without using condoms. It is transmitted from men to women rather than from women to men.

• This can also be transmitted from the mother to the child immediately after the birth.

Q3. What antibiotics can cure gonorrheal infections?

Ans. Ceftriaxone, Azithromycin, Penicillin, Tetracycline, Ciprofloxacin, Cefixime, and Ofloxacin are the antibiotics used to cure gonorrheal infections.

Q4. What is epididymitis?

Ans. Epididymitis is a condition of swollen epididymis, which is the coiled tube located at the back of the two testicles in men. It is one of the complications of gonorrhea in males.

Q5. How dangerous is gonorrhea?

Ans. Gonorrhea has led to infertility in both males and females. It results in swollen pelvis and blockages in the fallopian tubes of women that cause infertility. It has the same effect on the seminal ducts and testicles in men. A pregnant woman affected by gonorrhea can give the infection to her child during birth. Therefore, gonorrhea is dangerous and it is transmitted to unborn children which result in miscarriage. The eyes are mainly affected in newborn babies.

Q6. What are sexually transmitted diseases?

Ans. The infections can be passed from an infected person to an uninfected person by sexual intercourse and are caused by a virus, bacteria, or other parasites. It includes HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, genital herpes, trichomoniasis, chlamydia, and several diseases.

Q7. How can gonorrheal infections identify?

Ans. The sample of urine and swabs of the highly affected area such as the urethra, vagina, and throat are collected and there are various methods to confirm the infections including serological testing, biochemical testing, and nucleic acid methods.