What is Gonorrhea? What are the symptoms of gonorrhea?

It is a disease caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a sexually transmitted bacterial infection. Gonorrhea, also known as gonorrhea, usually localizes to mucosal surfaces such as the reproductive organs, urethra, rectum and throat and can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. The disease can be seen in both men and women, and the severity of its symptoms may vary from person to person. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to preventing complications. Although it is an infection that can be completely cured with antibiotic treatment, the application of preventive methods is of great importance to prevent the spread of the disease.

What is Gonorrhea?

Sexually transmitted diseases are infections that are spread primarily through contact with genital organs or body fluids. Gonorrhea, one of these diseases, is caused by Neisseria Gonorrhoeae bacteria. It can infect the urethra, rectum, female reproductive system, mouth, throat or eyes. Gonorrhea is most commonly spread during vaginal, oral or anal sexual activity. However, babies can also become infected during birth. In babies, gonorrhea most commonly affects the eyes.

Avoiding sexual activity prevents the spread of gonorrhea. Using a condom during sexual activity can also help prevent the spread of gonorrhea. Being in a monogamous relationship also limits the risk of infection. The disease can lead to long-term health problems and infertility. But antibiotics can treat it and reduce the chance of complications.

What are the symptoms of gonorrhea?

The bacteria that cause gonorrhea are mostly found in penile discharge and vaginal fluid. Bacteria can infect the entrance to the womb (cervix), the tube through which urine is removed from the body (urethra), the rectum, and less commonly, the throat or eyes. It can also be passed from an infected pregnant woman to her baby. If you are pregnant and have gonorrhea, it is important to get tested and treated before your baby is born. If gonorrhea is left untreated, it can cause permanent blindness in the newborn baby.

Gonorrhea is not spread through hugging, swimming pools, toilet seats or baths, or sharing towels, cups, plates or cutlery. Bacteria cannot survive for long outside the human body. Typical symptoms of gonorrhea include dark green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis, pain during urination, and bleeding between menstrual periods in women.

Gonorrhea Symptoms in Men

Men are more likely to experience symptoms. However, you may not notice signs of infection until several weeks after exposure. This means you can unknowingly infect your partners. Symptoms of gonorrhea in men may manifest themselves as follows:

• White, yellow or green discharge from the penis
• Pain or burning when urinating
• Testicular pain and swollen testicles

Gonorrhea Symptoms in Women

Most women do not experience symptoms. This makes it easier for you to unknowingly pass the infection to your sexual partners. If you are sexually active or believe you have had sexual intercourse with someone who has gonorrhea, it is important to get tested for gonorrhea. When symptoms are present they may include:

• Unusual white or yellow vaginal discharge
• Pain in your lower abdomen or pelvis
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Pain while urinating
• Bleeding between menstrual periods

What Causes Gonorrhea?

You become infected when the bacteria that causes gonorrhea enters your body through semen or vaginal fluids. This disease is usually experienced through unprotected sex. Bacteria can enter your body through the penis, vagina, mouth or anus. You can catch gonorrhea if you have sex with an infected person. This is the same no matter your gender.

How to Diagnose Gonorrhea?

Understanding gonorrhea is possible by recognizing the symptoms of the disease and performing appropriate medical tests. Usually, the first symptoms of the disease appear in the area where the infection is located. Symptoms may differ in men and women. But in general; It manifests itself with symptoms such as a burning sensation during urination, discharge in the genital area, rectal discomfort and, in some cases, sore throat. These symptoms usually appear a few days to a week after infection.

How Is Gonorrhea Diagnosed?

Only your doctor can tell for sure if you have gonorrhea. The doctor asks questions about your symptoms and sexual history. He or she then collects a sample of your urine or body fluid to check for gonorrhea-causing bacteria. To diagnose gonorrhea, the following may also be ordered:

• pelvic exam
• A sample of fluid taken from the cervix for testing
• Urine sample for testing
• A sample of fluid from your throat or rectum for testing
• fluid sample from penis

Your doctor will discuss with you which type of gonorrhea test is best in your case and what type of fluid sample this test requires. A may also test you for chlamydia. These infections often occur together.

How is Gonorrhea Transmitted?

It is usually transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse with someone who has the infection. Gonorrhea; It is spread when semen, pre-semen, and vaginal fluids get into your genital area, anus, or mouth. You can also catch gonorrhea by touching your eyes if you have infected fluids on your hands. However, the disease does not spread through daily contact. Therefore, it is not transmitted by sharing food or drinks, kissing, hugging, holding hands, coughing, sneezing, or sitting on toilet seats.

Many people who contract the disease do not have any symptoms. Even if there are no symptoms, the infection can be transmitted to others. Therefore, using a condom every time you have sexual intercourse is the best way to prevent gonorrhea, even if you and your partner appear completely healthy.

How to Treat Gonorrhea?

It is usually treated with a single injection of antibiotics administered into the buttocks or thighs. With effective treatment, most of your symptoms should improve within a few days. It is recommended that you attend a follow-up appointment a week or two after treatment. So your doctor may perform another test to see if you are clear of infection.

You should avoid sexual intercourse until you are told your infection is gone. Having previously received successful treatment for gonorrhea does not prevent you from getting this disease again.

How to Prevent Gonorrhea?

Preventing gonorrhea is possible by being conscious about sexual health and hygiene and using appropriate protection methods. Using condoms during sexual intercourse is one of the most effective protective methods to prevent the transmission of this disease. Condoms prevent Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacteria that causes gonorrhea, from entering the body through the genitals, mouth or rectum.

Monogamy, limiting the number of sexual partners and being aware of the health status of partners also reduce the risk of infection. Before having sexual intercourse, it is important that both partners get tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and make sure the results are negative. Additionally, recognizing the symptoms of gonorrhea early and consulting a doctor quickly is a critical step to prevent the spread of the disease. It should be taken into consideration that even asymptomatic cases can be contagious and STD screenings should be performed regularly.