Gonorrhea

What is gonorrhea? Gonorrhea can be defined as a sexually transmitted disease (STD) which is caused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This bacterium grows and multiplies in the warm and moist areas of the cervix, fallopian tubes, in the urethra and in the anus where they can multiply comfortably because of the favorable conditions in those body parts. Gonorrhea affects both men and women. It can be transmitted through sexual contact which include sexual intercourse, use of sexual toys, kissing and oral genital contact. A woman may also transmit gonorrhea to her newborn during vaginal childbirth.

Signs and symptoms of Gonorrhea

The signs and symptoms of gonorrhea are evident in men if they start experiencing pain when urinating two to five days after infection. It appears as a sharp pain at the head of the penis when you are trying to urinate. Another symptom is the yellow, white, or green discharge from the penis which has a bad smell, and causes pain in the urethra. In rare cases a man may have swollen testicles after infection with gonorrhea.
The signs and symptoms in women may not be all that visible but they may include a painful or burning sensation when urinating. They may also have vaginal discharge that may take the form of a yellow or white discharge. There may also be symptoms of vaginal bleeding between periods.
There are also symptoms that are evident in both women and men like the rectal infection, bleeding, anal itching, soreness and discharge. Some men also notice symptoms of erectile dysfunction when the infection is at its peak.

Effects of gonorrhea

In women, it may bring about pelvic inflammatory diseases, if it becomes widespread and moves to the fallopian tubes. Gonorrhea can also lead to meningitis, and an eye infection that can result in blindness to the new born baby during pregnancy.
In men, it spreads to the epididymis causing pain and swelling to the testicles, and this may lead to infertility. In both men and women it can affect body parts including throat, eyes, joints and the skin.

Gonorrhea prevention

The most effective way to prevent any sexually transmitted disease is by abstaining from sexual intercourse. Being truthful to one partner that has been tested and is free from infection is also another way to prevent this sexually transmitted disease. Another way to prevent gonorrhea is by using condoms on any occasion you are having sexual intercourse with your partner.

Gonorrhea Treatment

There area few known methods of treating gonorrhea but the use of antibiotics is by far the most commonly used treatment. These treatments are easy and essential as they can be administered in tablet, liquid or injection form. You should get prescription from the doctors for the antibiotics and make sure to take the complete dose as prescribed. The medication given by the doctor will stop the infection and you should not engage in unprotected sex unless you are fully cured. If you are allergic to antibiotics then you should notify the doctor so as to cause no complications. At times symptoms may continue even after receiving treatment and you are advised to return to the doctor for more advanced treatment.