Gonorrhea

John Munz **Gonorrhea** Gonorrhea is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STD). It is also known as the clap or the drip. It is caused by Neisseria Gonorrhoeae, which is a bacteria that grows in warm, moist areas in many areas of the male and female bodies (CDC, 2011). For women the diseases can be found in the cervix, uterus, and the fallopian tubes. For males and females, gonorrhea can grow in the urethra, mouth throat, eyes, and anus. Gonorrhea is one of the most common STDs. The CDC estimates around 700,000 new gonorrheal infections each year (CDC, 2011). Most of these cases are not reported. The largest number of reported cases cam from females of the ages 15 to 19 (WebMD, 2010). Other highly reported demographics are sexually active teenagers, young adults, and African Americans (CDC, 2011). This is figure showing the highest rate by state of people with gonorrhea per 100,000 population. The figure is from the CDC in 2009 (CDC, 2011). **Forms of Transmission** Gonorrhea can be spread by vaginal, anal, and oral sex (PlannedParenthood, 2011). It also can be passed by mother to child while the birthing process. It cannot be transmitted by casual contact. You are more likely to be infected if you practice risky sexual behavior. This includes, but not limited to, having multiple sexual partners, having a partner with a past history of any sexually transmitted disease, not using a condom during sex, a man having sexual contact with another man, or having a drug addiction (NYTimes, 2009). **Symptoms** Symptoms for men and women are very similar. For men, gonorrhea can often go with no symptoms. Some men can have symptoms that appear within the first two weeks of the transmission of the infection. Males can experience a burning sensation during urination, also they may have a white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis. It is also common for males with gonorrhea to have painful or swollen testicles. Women’s symptoms tend to be more mild than males, but again most women who have been infected with gonorrhea have no symptoms. Their symptoms have easily be mistaken for bladder or vaginal infections, so it is difficult to detect. Similar to males, females with the infection can feel painful or a burning sensation during urination, increased vaginal discharge, or vaginal bleeding between periods. Females with gonorrhea have the risk of serious complications even if the symptoms are not noticed. In both males and females with a rectal infection of gonorrhea, symptoms can include discharge, anal itching, soreness, bleeding, or painful bowel movements. Infection in the throat can cause a sore throat, but often have no symptoms (CDC, 2011). Newborns can have irritation of the mucous membrane in the eyes. If it is not treated it can cause blindness (EMedicineHealth, 2011). **Diagnosis** If these symptoms are present or if you have conducted in any risky sexual behavior you may need a physical examination. In this examination, the doctor will take a swab sample of fluid from the urethra in a male or the cervix of a female. A throat and anal culture may also be taken. These tests will be sent to the lab and results will take at least two days (WebMD, 2010). **Complications from Gonorrhea** Many complications can occur if a gonorrhea infection goes untreated. For women gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can cause internal abscesses and chronic pelvic pain. It also can cause infertility or ectopic pregnancy. Untreated men can cause epididymitis and also can cause infertility. Gonorrhea can also spread to the blood or joints and can become life threatening. People with gonorrhea have a higher risk in contracting HIV/AIDS (CDC, 2011). **Treatment** Gonorrhea is a bacteria infection and therefore can be treated and cured. Antibiotics can be prescribed by a doctor and are very easy to take. Healthcare providers will help decide on the best treatment. You and your partner must both be treated before having sexual intercourse to ensure you are not infected again. Some health care providers may give you treatments for your partners as well as yours, to prevent the spread of infection (NYTimes, 2009). Gonorrhea is often accompanied by Chlamydia and your healthcare provider may treat you for that as well as a precautionary measure. When being treat for any STD take all the prescribed medicine even after the symptoms are gone. Make sure your partner/s are treated as well to reduce the spread of the infection. Do not share your medicine and consult your health care provider if symptoms continue after treatment (PlannedParenthood, 2011). The CDC recommends the following treatments, a shot of ceftriaxone or a dose of cefixime, or azithromycin. Penicillin used to be the normal treatment for a gonorrheal infection, but today it no longer is since it does not cure it all of the time. Follow-up visits are also very important around a week after treatment to make sure the infection is completely gone (NYTimes, 2009). **Prevention** The only way to be completely safe from a gonorrheal infection is to abstain from sexual intercourse or to be in a monogamous relationship where your partner has been tested and in not infected (NYTimes, 2009). In other cases, use latex condoms consistently and correctly, and avoid contact with high-risk partners (EMedicineHealth, 2011). Help prevent spreading the infection by informing your sexual partner/s of it and get tested regularly. **Prognosis** When a gonorrhea infection has been treated with antibiotics, it can be cured 95% to 99% of the time. In the cases that it is not treated, complications can occur. Pelvic inflammatory disease happens to 20% to 40% of untreated women. Chronic pelvic pain and sterility can occur with both males and females. Also, females fallopian tubes can stick together to again cause the woman to go sterile. Other complications are arthritis, meningitis, or perihepatitis. Chlamydia accompanies gonorrhea 60% of the time (EMedicineHealth, 2011). **Information** For more information contact any of the following: CDC National Prevention Information Network (NPIN)- __[|www.cdcnpin.org]__ American Social Health Association (ASHA)- __[|www.ashastd.org]__ Planned Parenthood- __[|www.plannedparenthood.org]__ Or contact your local physician. **References** "Gonorrhea - Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment of Gonorrhea - NY Times Health Information." //Health News - The New York Times//. Web. 10 Apr. 2011. . "Gonorrhea - Symptoms, Test & Treatment." //Planned Parenthood//. Web. 10 Apr. 2011. . "Gonorrhea Causes, Diagnosis, and Symptoms in Men and Women." //WebMD - Better Information. Better Health.// Web. 10 Apr. 2011. . Houry, MD, MPH, Debra E. "Information on Gonorrhea (vaginal, Penile, Oral, Throat, Rectal, Anal) Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment by EMedicineHealth.com." //Gonorrhea//. Ed. Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD. Web. 10 Apr. 2011.. "STD Facts - Gonorrhea." //Centers for Disease Control and Prevention//. Web. 10 Apr. 2011. .