Gonorrhea
WHAT IS GONORRHEA?
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by infection with Neisseria gonorrhea, a type of bacteria. Gonorrhea disproportionately affects sexually active people ages 20-29, especially men. It is spread by vaginal, anal, or oral sex and usually infects the urethra and/or cervix. However, it can also infect the rectum, anus, throat, pelvic organs, or even the eyes. In females, untreated gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and lead to infertility or ectopic pregnancy. In males, it can cause epididymitis, which may lead to infertility.
What are the Symptoms of Gonorrhea?
Many people have no symptoms of gonorrhea, but the infection can still be spread to others. Symptoms can include painful urination and abnormal discharge from the penis or vagina. In females, early symptoms of gonorrhea may be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. If gonorrhea is untreated, it can lead to serious complications such as PID, infertility, and miscarriage. Gonorrhea infection can spread to other parts of the body including the joints, skin, heart, or blood. This is called disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI) and it can lead to severe effects such as arthritis, sepsis (infection of the blood), endocarditis (inflammation of the heart), and meningitis (infection of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord).
HOW IS GONORRHEA DIAGNOSED?
The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends that all sexual active people under the age of 25 should be screened for gonorrhea. Pregnant people should also be screened during their first prenatal visit. Gonorrhea is diagnosed by a physician after a physical examination and lab tests. Your doctor will also send a report to your provincial or territorial health unit if you test positive for gonorrhea.
HOW IS GONORRHEA TREATED?
Gonorrhea is curable and causes no long-term problems if it is treated early. Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics (usually cefixime and azithromycin). You should not have sexual contact with anyone while being treated, or at least 7 days after treatment. Some strains of gonorrhea are resistant to previously recommended antibiotics. If gonorrhea symptoms do not go away after treatment, you may be retested with a gonorrhea culture and prescribed an alternative antibiotic. Treatment does not prevent you from getting a gonorrhea infection in the future. To prevent gonorrhea, practice safer sex by limiting your sex partners, knowing whether your partner engages in risky sexual behaviours, and use a condom or dental dam during sex.
