GONORRHEA : Hard to Spell, Easy to Catch.

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Overview

Gonorrhea is an infection caused by a sexually transmitted bacterium that infects both males and females. Gonorrhea most often affects the urethra, rectum or throat. In females, gonorrhea can also infect the cervix.

Gonorrhea is most commonly spread during vaginal, oral or anal sex. But babies of infected mothers can be infected during childbirth. In babies, gonorrhea most commonly affects the eyes.

Statistics:

There are more than 1.5 million cases of Gonorrhea per annum in our country Nigeria. It is very rare in humans from 0-13 years and 60 years above, common in teenagers and adults from range 14-60 years. But it is most common in humans from 15-24 years old.

Symptoms of Gonorrhea:

Symptoms usually occur within two to 14 days after exposure. However, some people infected with gonorrhea never develop noticeable symptoms. It’s important to remember that a person with gonorrhea who doesn’t have symptoms, also called a NONSYMPTOMATIC CARRIER, is still contagious. A person is more likely to spread the infection to other partners when they don’t have noticeable symptoms.

Symptoms of Gonorrhea in Males:

• Strong and frequent urge to urinate

• A pus-like discharge (or drip) from the penis (white, yellow or greenish)

• Swelling or redness at the opening of the penis

• Swelling or pain in the testicles

• A persistent sore throat.

Men may not develop noticeable symptoms for several weeks. Some men may never develop symptoms.

Symptoms of Gonorrhea in Females:

• Discharge from the vagina (watery, creamy, or slightly green)

• Pain or burning sensation while urinating

• The need to urinate more frequently

• Heavier periods or spotting sore throat

• Pain upon engaging in sexual intercourse

• Sharp pain in the lower abdomen

• Fever

Many women don’t develop any overt symptoms of gonorrhea. When women do develop symptoms, they tend to be mild or similar to other infections, making them more difficult to identify. Gonorrhea infections can appear much like common vaginal yeast or bacterial infection.

In most cases, symptoms begin to show between day 4 and day 6 of infection.

*Also note that as long as you're sexually active, you can always get gonorrhea*

Cause of Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neiserra gonorrhoea . The gonorrhea bacterial are most often passed from one person to another during sexual contact , including oral, anal or vaginal intercourse .

Risk factors

The factors that may increase your risk of gonorrhea infection include;

Younger age

Multiple sex partners

Previous gonorrhea diagnosis

Having other sexually transmitted infections

Complications of Gonorrhoea

Untreated gonorrhea can lead to significant complications such as

Infertility in women

Infertility in men

Increased risk of HIV/AIDs

Infection that spreads to the joint and other areas of the body

Complications in babies ( from an infected mother)

Treatment

Adults with gonorrhea are treated with antibiotics . This is due to the emerging strains of the drug resistant Neisseria gonorrhea. The centres for Disease control and prevention recommend that uncomplicated gonorrhea be treated with the antibiotics Ceftriaxone or Gentamicin which is usually given as an injection in combination with oral antibiotics such as Azithtomycin or Doxycycline .

Gonorrhea treatment for partners

Your partners should also undergo testing and treatment for gonorrhoea , even if he / she has no signs or symptoms. Your partners receives the same treatment you do . Even if you have been treated for gonorrhea , you can be reinfected if your partner isn't treated.

How to prevent oneself from Gonorrhea:

You can prevent gonorrhea in the same way you prevent any sexually transmitted infection - Use protection and choose your partners carefully. In other words,

• Do not have sex with someone you know is infected.

• Always use a condom during sex.

• Also use a spermicide containing nonoxynol-9.

• Have sex with only one partner and get tested.

Stay safe.

By : Edward-Tobi Norbert , Usidamen Blessing and Egbeh Benedict Chidera