Health Services
Self Care

Gonorrhea

Description
Gonorrhea is a bacterial disease that generally affects the genital organs. It is transmitted from person to person by intimate physical contact with the sex organs or the rectum of an infected person. The infection may also be present in the throat and can be transmitted orally. If left untreated, gonorrhea can cause abdominal, joint, bloodstream, and eye infections.

Symptoms
Men who have genital gonorrhea will usually notice a burning pain when urinating. There is often a discharge of pus from the penis. These symptoms generally appear two to six days after contact with an infected person, but the symptoms may be delayed as long as 30 days after infection. A considerable number of men who contract gonorrhea experience no apparent symptoms. Most women with genital gonorrhea do not notice obvious symptoms such as burning during urination or increased vaginal discharge. Both men and women may have rectal irritation, and discharge may occur. Gonorrhea infection of the throat may result in a sore throat, or slight hoarseness.

A presumptive diagnosis of gonorrhea can be established by a simple smear test if the infection is present in the male urethra. Gonorrhea in the female genital organs, or in the male or female rectum or the throat is confirmed by laboratory culture tests.

Treatment
Antibiotics are used to treat gonorrhea. Completion of all medication is essential and a post-treatment culture is mandatory to substantiate cure. All sexual partners should be notified and strongly encouraged to seek medical treatment. Intimate contact should be avoided until treatment of all partners is complete and post-treatment cultures indicate cure.

Complications
If gonorrhea is not treated properly, the disease may progress causing arthritis, sterility, heart problems or serious pelvic disorders. Meningitis can also be a complication. Women who have untreated gonorrhea can pass the infection to their newborn child. Although these complications are serious, they can be prevented by early and complete treatment under proper medical supervision.

Prevention
Your risk of infection is highest when you have more than one partner or your partner has more than one partner. Have frank discussion about infections before you become intimate with a new partner.

Barrier contraceptive methods such as condoms or diaphragms used with nonoxynol-9 spermicide will help prevent infection. This protection is not 100%. Barrier methods will not protect against warts or herpes infections. These are spread by contact with infected skin which may not be shielded by the barrier.

Avoid all sexual intimacy if you or your partner have even mild symptoms, or when you have reason to suspect either of you may have an infection.

More Information/Questions
Messiah College students may call Student Health Service at (717) 691-6035 for more information.