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Gonorrhoea
What is gonorrhoea and how is it transmitted?
Gonorrhoea (the 'clap') is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhśae. Unlike other STIs, it does not affect the vagina, instead thriving in the cervix and rectum. It can also affect the throat and, more rarely, the eyes and blood.
It is mostly passed on through vaginal, anal and oral sex. Straight men have a 20 percent chance of catching it from an infected partner, women and gay men have a 50 percent chance.
On rare occasions, the infection can by passed through hands coming into contact with the genitals and then the eyes.
Although gonorrhoea is not as common as it once was, statistics show it is now on the increase again in the UK, especially amongst the young and gay men.
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What does gonorrhoea look like?
There are rarely any visible symptoms of gonorrhoea, except in exceptionally serious cases (see pictures of gonorrhoea). Both men and women can suffer from an unusual discharge – see below for more about symptoms.
Gonorrhoea symptoms in men
The incubation period is up to two weeks, but not everyone will have noticeable symptoms so it is important to get tested if you have been having unprotected sex. Signs to look out for are:
• discharge from the penis, which may be white or yellowish in appearance
• anal discharge
• pain when urinating
Gonorrhoea symptoms in women
As with men, the incubation period in 2 to 14 days, but up to 60 percent of women are asymptomatic and will not realise they have caught it. If you have gonorrhoea you may notice:
• yellow or watery vaginal discharge
• pain when urinating
• bleeding between periods or after intercourse
Associated health problems and complications caused by gonorrhoea
In women, gonorrhoea can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. If left untreated this can lead to infertility.
In men, gonorrhoea can lead to swollen testicles (epididymitis) which can leave a man sterile.
While pregnant, a woman with gonorrhoea is at higher risk of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy and giving birth prematurely or to a stillborn child. There is also a possibility that she will pass the infection onto the baby during the birth, which can cause problems to the infant such as pneumonia, meningitis or blindness.
An STD test is routinely given during pregnancy in the UK. If gonorrhoea is detected, eye drops will be given at birth to prevent the infection developing.
Gonorrhoea treatment
Gonorrhoea is normally treated successfully with antibiotics (such as amoxicillan and ciprofloxacin) which will cure it completely. The type of drugs prescribed will depend on factors such as which strain you have, which area is affected and whether you are pregnant.
Some strains of gonorrhoea are emerging which are resistant to antibiotic treatment, but as yet no drug resistant strain has been found in the UK.
Current and recent sexual partners should also be given treatment for the infection. Understandably, most people find it difficult to bring up the subject of STIs with previous sexual partners. A sexual health advisor can give support and advice and some clinics will send out letters on a patient's behalf.
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