Gonorrhea
What is Gonorrhea?
Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacterium, causes gonorrhea infection (sometimes referred to as gonococcal infections). The majority of infections do not cause symptoms and are detected through screening tests. Symptoms of gonorrhea, when present, are similar to those of chlamydia. These two are often seen together as co-infections in the same person and their partner(s).
Signs and symptoms
- Many people with infection do not have symptoms (asymptomatic).
- Females may have abnormal vaginal discharge, abnormal menses, or have painful or difficult urination. Ten to 20% of infected females develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can lead to ectopic pregnancy, infertility, and chronic pelvic pain.
- Males may have painful or difficult urination, increased frequency of urination, and urethral discharge. Males are at risk for epididymitis.
- Anorectal and pharyngeal (throat) infections can occur and a person may or may not have symptoms.
Incubation period
Usually one to 14 days
Contagious period and spread
- Gonorrhea is spread through sexual contact: oral, anal, and vaginal.
- Individuals are contagious as long as the bacteria are present and up to seven days after completion of treatment.
Public health reporting requirements
- Gonorrhea infections must be reported to the state or local public health agency within four days of a suspected or confirmed diagnosis.
- The possibility of sexual abuse must be considered when infections occur in prepubescent children and must be reported to appropriate authorities.
Control of spread
- People with infection should be examined by a health care provider and treated as soon as the diagnosis is confirmed to prevent complications. Treatment of the partner(s) is a crucial strategy to prevent re-infection. People with infection should seek medical care if symptoms persist or recur. Parental consent is not required for minors to be examined and treated.
- People with infection should avoid sexual activity until they and their partner(s) are treated and cured.
- People with infection should abstain from sex or use condoms to prevent future infections.
- Additional information is available from CDC: Gonorrhea
Treatment
Treatment is with antibiotics. Concurrent treatment of sex partner(s) with same regimen is essential to prevent re-infection or spread of disease.
Exclusion
No exclusions or environmental interventions are necessary, as STIs require close intimate physical contact for transmission, virtually always of a sexual nature.
Role of teachers, caregivers, and family
- General education about sexual health and STI prevention is recommended.
- Infections in prepubescent children and other high-risk individuals must be reported to appropriate authorities to address the possibility of sexual abuse.