Gonorrhea: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It spreads through vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected person. The infection can also be passed from a mother to her baby during childbirth.
Causes of Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It thrives in warm, moist areas of the body, such as the genitals, rectum, and throat. The infection spreads through sexual contact with an infected person.
Having multiple sexual partners, unprotected sex, and having sex with someone who has multiple sexual partners all increase the risk of getting gonorrhea. People who have had gonorrhea before are also more likely to get it again.
Symptoms of Gonorrhea
Many people with gonorrhea have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they usually appear within 2-14 days after exposure to the infection. Symptoms can include:
- Painful urination
- Increased vaginal discharge in women
- Yellow or green discharge from the penis in men
- Pain during sex
- Rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding
- Sore throat
Treatment of Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea can be treated with antibiotics. It is important to finish the entire course of antibiotics, even if symptoms go away. Antibiotic-resistant strains of gonorrhea have been reported, so it is important to follow the treatment plan prescribed by a healthcare provider.
If left untreated, gonorrhea can cause serious health problems, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women, which can lead to infertility and chronic pain. It can also increase the risk of getting or spreading HIV.
Prevention of Gonorrhea
The best way to prevent gonorrhea is to practice safe sex. This means using a condom every time you have sex, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Limiting the number of sexual partners and getting tested for STDs regularly can also help prevent the spread of gonorrhea.
If you are pregnant and have gonorrhea, it is important to get treated right away to prevent passing the infection to your baby during childbirth.
Conclusion
Gonorrhea is a common STD that can cause serious health problems if left untreated. It can be prevented by practicing safe sex, including using condoms every time you have sex, limiting the number of sexual partners, and getting tested for STDs regularly. If you think you might have gonorrhea, it is important to get tested and treated right away.
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