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Gonorrhea - Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Definition

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease. Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae which is a bacterium that can grow easily in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, including the cervix (opening to the womb), uterus (womb), and fallopian tubes (egg canals) in women, and in the urethra (urine canal) in women and men. The bacterium can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes, and anus. So chances of Gonorrhea can also in the mouth, throat and eyes.

Causes

Gonorrhea is caused by bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. These bacteria can infect the genital tract, mouth, and rectum. It is the dieses which affect of both men and women. In women, however, the opening to the uterus (cervix) is the first place of infection. The infection is transmitted from one person to another through vaginal, oral, or anal sexual relations.
Men have a 20% chance of getting the infection by having sexual relations with a woman infected with gonorrhea. Women have a 50% chance of getting the infection by having sexual relations with a man infected with gonorrhea.
An infected mother may transmit gonorrhea to her newborn during vaginal childbirth.

Symptoms

The early symptoms of gonorrhea often are mild, and some people who are infected have no symptoms of the disease; this is one reason why it is so readily transmitted.

When symptoms in women do occur, these can include :-

Unusual vaginal discharge
Burning during urination or increased frequency of urination
Bleeding after intercourse
Bleeding between periods
Abdominal or pelvic pain

In men, symptoms of gonorrhea may include :-

Discharge from the penis
Pain or burning with urination or increased frequency of urination
Swollen and/or painful testicles

Treatment

Several antibiotics can successfully cure gonorrhea in adolescents and adults. However, drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea are increasing in many areas of the world, including the United States, and successful treatment of gonorrhea is becoming more difficult.

Treatment is recommended for :-
People who have positive gonorrhea tests.
Sex partners within the past 60 days of people diagnosed with gonorrhea, whether they have symptoms or used condoms or not.
Newborns of women who have gonorrhea at the time of delivery.

It is important to take all of the medication that is prescribed to you, even if you arent experiencing any symptoms. You must also stop from sex until you have tested negative for the disease. If you have tested positive for gonorrhea, any and all sexual partners you have had should also be tested in order to prevent spreading the infection as well as to avoid future complications.