How does oral gonorrhea manifest in women. What are the common symptoms of oral gonorrhea. How is oral gonorrhea transmitted and treated. What preventive measures can be taken against oral gonorrhea.

Understanding Oral Gonorrhea: A Silent Threat

Oral gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection that can affect the throat and surrounding areas. While it’s often asymptomatic, this condition poses significant health risks and contributes to the spread of antibiotic-resistant strains. This comprehensive guide delves into the intricacies of oral gonorrhea, focusing particularly on its impact on women.

The Prevalence of Oral Gonorrhea

How common is oral gonorrhea? While exact figures for the general population remain elusive, studies indicate a concerning trend. With over 85% of sexually active adults engaging in oral sex, the potential for transmission is substantial. The asymptomatic nature of many cases further complicates detection and treatment efforts.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Oral Gonorrhea in Women

Can oral gonorrhea be identified through symptoms alone? Unfortunately, the answer is often no. Many women with oral gonorrhea experience no symptoms at all. However, when symptoms do manifest, they can include:

• A sore or red throat
• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck

These symptoms can easily be mistaken for other common throat infections, making professional diagnosis crucial.

Distinguishing Oral Gonorrhea from Strep Throat

How does oral gonorrhea differ from strep throat? While both conditions can cause a sore, red throat, strep throat often presents with additional symptoms such as:

• White patches in the throat
• A sudden high fever (often 101°F or higher)
• Headache and chills
• Red spots on the back of the throat

Given the similarity in symptoms, only a medical professional can accurately diagnose oral gonorrhea through specific testing.

Transmission Pathways: Understanding How Oral Gonorrhea Spreads

How is oral gonorrhea transmitted? The primary mode of transmission is through unprotected oral sex performed on the genitals or anus of an infected individual. Recent studies also suggest that kissing may be a potential transmission route, although more research is needed to confirm this hypothesis.

The Hidden Danger of Asymptomatic Cases

Why is oral gonorrhea particularly concerning for public health? The asymptomatic nature of many cases means that individuals may unknowingly carry and spread the infection. This not only increases transmission rates but also contributes to the development of antibiotic-resistant strains.

Comprehensive Treatment Approaches for Oral Gonorrhea

Is oral gonorrhea treatable? Absolutely. However, treatment must be prescribed by a healthcare professional and followed precisely to ensure complete eradication of the infection.

Current Treatment Guidelines

What is the recommended treatment for oral gonorrhea? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recommends:

• A single 500-milligram intramuscular dose of ceftriaxone for most patients
• A 1-gram dose for individuals weighing 330 lbs (150 kg) or more

These guidelines apply to infections in various sites, including the pharynx. It’s important to note that oral infections can be more challenging to cure than genital or rectal infections, emphasizing the need for proper medical supervision.

Addressing Antibiotic Resistance

Why have treatment recommendations changed recently? The CDC has updated its guidelines due to increasing concerns about azithromycin resistance. This shift highlights the importance of staying informed about the latest treatment protocols.

Prevention Strategies: Safeguarding Against Oral Gonorrhea

How can one prevent oral gonorrhea? While abstinence is the only foolproof method, several strategies can significantly reduce the risk of transmission:

1. Use barrier methods (dental dams, condoms) during oral sex
2. Limit the number of sexual partners
3. Undergo regular STI testing, especially if sexually active with multiple partners
4. Communicate openly with sexual partners about STI status and testing

The Importance of Partner Notification

Why is informing sexual partners crucial? If diagnosed with oral gonorrhea, it’s essential to inform all recent sexual contacts. This allows them to seek testing and treatment, preventing further spread of the infection and potential reinfection.

Long-term Health Implications of Untreated Oral Gonorrhea

What are the potential consequences of leaving oral gonorrhea untreated? While the throat infection itself may not lead to severe complications, untreated gonorrhea can spread to other parts of the body, causing:

• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) in women
• Infertility
• Increased risk of HIV transmission
• Disseminated gonococcal infection, affecting joints and heart valves

These potential outcomes underscore the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Navigating the Emotional Aspects of an Oral Gonorrhea Diagnosis

How can individuals cope with the psychological impact of an oral gonorrhea diagnosis? Receiving such news can be emotionally challenging. It’s important to remember that:

• STIs are common and don’t reflect on a person’s character
• With proper treatment, oral gonorrhea can be cured
• Support is available through healthcare providers and counseling services

Open communication with partners and healthcare professionals can help alleviate anxiety and ensure proper care.

Breaking the Stigma

How can we combat the stigma surrounding oral gonorrhea and other STIs? Education and open dialogue are key. By fostering a more understanding and supportive environment, we can encourage regular testing, prompt treatment, and ultimately reduce transmission rates.

Advancements in Oral Gonorrhea Research and Future Prospects

What new developments are on the horizon for oral gonorrhea prevention and treatment? Ongoing research is focusing on several promising areas:

• Development of new antibiotic treatments to combat resistant strains
• Improved diagnostic tools for faster, more accurate detection
• Potential vaccines to prevent gonorrhea infections
• Better understanding of transmission dynamics, particularly through kissing

These advancements hold the potential to revolutionize our approach to oral gonorrhea management in the coming years.

The Role of Public Health Initiatives

How are public health organizations addressing the challenge of oral gonorrhea? Efforts are being made on multiple fronts:

1. Increased funding for research and surveillance
2. Public awareness campaigns to promote safe sex practices and regular testing
3. Enhanced training for healthcare providers in diagnosing and treating oral gonorrhea
4. Collaboration with international partners to track and respond to antibiotic-resistant strains

These initiatives aim to create a comprehensive strategy for tackling oral gonorrhea on a global scale.

Oral Gonorrhea in Special Populations: Considerations for Women’s Health

Are there specific concerns regarding oral gonorrhea in women? While the infection itself doesn’t discriminate based on gender, there are some unique considerations for women:

• Increased risk of complications such as PID if the infection spreads
• Potential impact on fertility and pregnancy outcomes
• Interaction with hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy

These factors highlight the importance of regular screening and prompt treatment for sexually active women.

Oral Gonorrhea and Pregnancy

How does oral gonorrhea affect pregnant women? Pregnant women with untreated gonorrhea face additional risks:

• Increased chance of premature birth
• Potential transmission to the newborn during delivery
• Complications such as ectopic pregnancy

Routine screening during prenatal care is crucial for early detection and treatment.

The Intersection of Oral Gonorrhea and Other STIs

How does oral gonorrhea interact with other sexually transmitted infections? The presence of oral gonorrhea can increase susceptibility to other STIs, particularly HIV. Conversely, having multiple STIs can complicate treatment and recovery. This interconnection underscores the importance of comprehensive STI testing and treatment.

Co-infections and Treatment Challenges

What challenges arise when oral gonorrhea co-occurs with other infections? Co-infections, particularly with chlamydia, are not uncommon. In such cases, treatment regimens may need to be adjusted to address all present infections effectively. This highlights the need for thorough diagnostic testing and personalized treatment plans.

Technological Innovations in Oral Gonorrhea Detection and Monitoring

How is technology improving our ability to detect and monitor oral gonorrhea? Several exciting developments are enhancing our capabilities:

• Rapid diagnostic tests that can provide results in minutes rather than days
• Mobile health applications for tracking symptoms and treatment adherence
• Advanced molecular techniques for identifying antibiotic-resistant strains
• Big data analytics for predicting outbreaks and guiding public health responses

These technological advancements promise to revolutionize our approach to oral gonorrhea management, enabling faster detection, more targeted treatments, and improved public health strategies.

The Promise of Artificial Intelligence

How might AI contribute to oral gonorrhea research and treatment? Artificial intelligence holds potential in several areas:

1. Analyzing large datasets to identify patterns in transmission and treatment efficacy
2. Developing predictive models for antibiotic resistance
3. Assisting in the design of new antibiotics and potential vaccines
4. Enhancing diagnostic accuracy through image analysis of throat swabs

While still in early stages, AI-driven approaches could significantly accelerate progress in combating oral gonorrhea.

Global Perspectives on Oral Gonorrhea: A Worldwide Challenge

How does the impact of oral gonorrhea vary across different regions? While oral gonorrhea is a global concern, its prevalence and management can differ significantly between countries and cultures. Factors influencing these differences include:

• Variations in sexual practices and norms
• Differences in healthcare access and quality
• Cultural attitudes towards STIs and sexual health
• Economic factors affecting treatment availability

Understanding these global variations is crucial for developing effective, culturally sensitive strategies to combat oral gonorrhea worldwide.

International Collaboration in Research and Policy

How are countries working together to address oral gonorrhea? International efforts include:

1. Sharing of surveillance data to track antibiotic resistance
2. Collaborative research initiatives to develop new treatments and prevention methods
3. Harmonization of treatment guidelines across regions
4. Joint public health campaigns to raise global awareness

These collaborative efforts are essential for creating a unified front against the global threat of oral gonorrhea.

Symptoms, Transmission, Treatment, Prevention, More

You can get gonorrhea in your throat through oral sex or kissing. It is common to have no symptoms, but you may notice a red or sore throat, a fever, and swollen lymph nodes in your neck. You may also get more typical gonorrhea symptoms.

We don’t know exactly how common oral gonorrhea is in the general population.

There have been a number of studies published on oral gonorrhea, but most focus on specific groups, such as heterosexual women and men who have sex with men.

What we do know is that more than 85 percent of sexually active adults have had oral sex, and anyone who has unprotected oral sex is at risk.

Experts also believe that undetected oral gonorrhea is partly to blame for the increase in antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea. Pharyngeal gonorrhea is often asymptomatic and may elude antibiotics even with appropriate treatment

Oral gonorrhea rarely causes symptoms and is often hard to detect. This can result in delayed treatment, which increases the risk of transmitting the infection to others.

Oral gonorrhea can be spread through oral sex performed on the genitals or anus of someone who has gonorrhea.

It can also likely be transmitted through kissing, but more studies are underway to substantiate this claim.

Most of the time, oral gonorrhea doesn’t cause any symptoms.

If you develop symptoms, they can be hard to distinguish from common symptoms of other throat infections.

Symptoms may include:

• sore throat
• redness in the throat
• fever
• swollen lymph nodes in the neck

Sometimes, a person with oral gonorrhea can also develop a gonorrhea infection in another part of the body, such as the cervix or urethra.

If this is the case, you may have other symptoms of gonorrhea, such as:

• unusual vaginal or penile discharge
• pain or burning when urinating
• pain during intercourse
• swollen testicles
• swollen lymph nodes in the groin

Your symptoms alone can’t distinguish between oral gonorrhea and another throat condition, such as sore or strep throat.

The only way to know for sure is to see a doctor or other healthcare professional for a throat swab and ask specifically to be tested for gonorrhea.

Like strep throat, oral gonorrhea may cause a sore throat with redness, but strep throat often also causes white patches in the throat.

Other symptoms of strep throat include:

• a sudden fever, often 101°F (38°C) or higher
• headache
• chills
• swollen lymph nodes in the neck
• pain
• fatigue
• rash
• red spots on the back of the throat

Yes. Gonorrhea must be treated with prescription antibiotics to fully clear the infection and prevent transmission.

Left untreated, gonorrhea can cause a number of serious complications.

If you suspect that you’ve been exposed, see a doctor or other healthcare professional for testing. If you don’t already have a doctor, our Healthline FindCare tool can help you connect to physicians in your area.

The healthcare professional will take a swab of your throat to check for the bacteria that causes the infection.

Oral infections are harder to cure than genital or rectal infections but can be treated with the right antibiotics.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends treating uncomplicated gonorrhea with a single 500-milligram (mg) intramuscular dose of ceftriaxone. People who weigh 330 lbs. (150 kg) or more should receive a single 1-gram (g) dose of ceftriaxone.

The recommendation applies to infections around the urinary tract, genitals, anus, rectum, and pharynx. Previously, the CDC recommended ceftriaxone plus oral azithromycin. The recommendations were changed because azithromycin resistance is an increasing concern.

If it’s possible that you have chlamydial infection, the CDC recommends 100 mg of doxycycliwork twice a day for 7 days.

If you have a cephalosporin allergy, a 240-mg intramuscular dose of gentamicin plus a 2-g oral dose of azithromycin may be considered.

You should avoid all sexual contact, including oral sex and kissing, for 7 days after completing treatment.

If your symptoms persist, see your healthcare professional.

If you’ve received a diagnosis or have been with someone who has, you should inform all recent sexual partners so they can be tested.

This includes anyone you’ve had sexual contact with in the 2 months before your symptoms started or your diagnosis.

Talking with your current or previous partners can be uncomfortable, but it needs to be done to avoid the risk of serious complications, transmitting the infection, and developing the infection again.

Being prepared with information about gonorrhea, its testing, and treatment can help you answer your partner’s questions.

If you’re worried about your partner’s reaction, consider making an appointment to see a healthcare professional together.

Here are some things you can say to get the conversation started:

• “I got some test results today, and I think we should talk about them. ”
• “My doctor just told me that I have something. There’s a chance you have it, too.”
• “I just found out that someone I was with a while back has gonorrhea. We should both get tested to be safe.”

In some states where it is legally permitted, clinicians will offer expedited partner therapy as it helps prevent re-infection if both partners are treated simultaneously.

If you prefer to remain anonymous

If you’re worried about talking with your current or previous partners, ask your doctor about contact tracing.

With contact tracing, your local health department will notify anyone who might have been exposed. It can be anonymous, so your sexual partner(s) don’t have to be told who referred them.

Mouthwash has long been believed to be able to cure gonorrhea. Until fairly recently, there was no scientific evidence to back the claim.

Data collected from a 2016 randomized controlled trial and an in vitro study found that the mouthwash Listerine significantly reduced the amount of N. gonorrhoeae (the bacteria that causes gonorrhea) on the pharyngeal (throat) surface.

While this is certainly promising, more research is needed to assess this claim. A larger trial is currently underway.

Antibiotics are the only treatment that’s proven to be effective.

If left untreated, oral gonorrhea can spread through your bloodstream to other parts of your body.

This can rarely lead to systemic gonococcal infection, also known as disseminated gonococcal infection.

Systemic gonococcal infection is a serious condition that can cause joint pain and swelling and skin sores. It can also cause an infection in the heart. However, this is very rare.

Gonorrhea of the genitals, rectum, and urinary tract can cause other serious complications when left untreated.

Possible complications include:

• pelvic inflammatory disease
• pregnancy complications
• infertility
• epididymitis
• higher risk of contracting HIV

With proper treatment, gonorrhea is curable. However, new strains of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea can be more difficult to treat.

The CDC recommends that anyone treated for oral gonorrhea return to their healthcare professional 7 to 14 days after treatment to make sure the infection is gone.

We don’t know how likely recurrence is in oral gonorrhea, specifically.

We do know that recurrence for other types of gonorrhea is high, affecting anywhere from 3.6 percent to 11 percent of people previously treated.

Retesting is recommended 3 to 6 months after treatment, even if you and your partner(s) have successfully completed treatment and are symptom-free. You should consider returning for other STI testing, as well.

You can reduce your risk for oral gonorrhea by using a dental dam or “male” condom every time you have oral sex.

A “male” condom can also be modified to use as a barrier when performing oral sex on the vagina or anus.

To do this:

• Carefully cut the tip off the condom.
• Cut across the bottom of the condom, just above the rim.
• Cut down one side of the condom.
• Open and lay flat over the vagina or anus.

Regular testing is also important. Consider getting tested before and after every partner.

Symptoms, Transmission, Treatment, Prevention, More

You can get gonorrhea in your throat through oral sex or kissing. It is common to have no symptoms, but you may notice a red or sore throat, a fever, and swollen lymph nodes in your neck. You may also get more typical gonorrhea symptoms.

We don’t know exactly how common oral gonorrhea is in the general population.

There have been a number of studies published on oral gonorrhea, but most focus on specific groups, such as heterosexual women and men who have sex with men.

What we do know is that more than 85 percent of sexually active adults have had oral sex, and anyone who has unprotected oral sex is at risk.

Experts also believe that undetected oral gonorrhea is partly to blame for the increase in antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea. Pharyngeal gonorrhea is often asymptomatic and may elude antibiotics even with appropriate treatment

Oral gonorrhea rarely causes symptoms and is often hard to detect. This can result in delayed treatment, which increases the risk of transmitting the infection to others.

Oral gonorrhea can be spread through oral sex performed on the genitals or anus of someone who has gonorrhea.

It can also likely be transmitted through kissing, but more studies are underway to substantiate this claim.

Most of the time, oral gonorrhea doesn’t cause any symptoms.

If you develop symptoms, they can be hard to distinguish from common symptoms of other throat infections.

Symptoms may include:

• sore throat
• redness in the throat
• fever
• swollen lymph nodes in the neck

Sometimes, a person with oral gonorrhea can also develop a gonorrhea infection in another part of the body, such as the cervix or urethra.

If this is the case, you may have other symptoms of gonorrhea, such as:

• unusual vaginal or penile discharge
• pain or burning when urinating
• pain during intercourse
• swollen testicles
• swollen lymph nodes in the groin

Your symptoms alone can’t distinguish between oral gonorrhea and another throat condition, such as sore or strep throat.

The only way to know for sure is to see a doctor or other healthcare professional for a throat swab and ask specifically to be tested for gonorrhea.

Like strep throat, oral gonorrhea may cause a sore throat with redness, but strep throat often also causes white patches in the throat.

Other symptoms of strep throat include:

• a sudden fever, often 101°F (38°C) or higher
• headache
• chills
• swollen lymph nodes in the neck
• pain
• fatigue
• rash
• red spots on the back of the throat

Yes. Gonorrhea must be treated with prescription antibiotics to fully clear the infection and prevent transmission.

Left untreated, gonorrhea can cause a number of serious complications.

If you suspect that you’ve been exposed, see a doctor or other healthcare professional for testing. If you don’t already have a doctor, our Healthline FindCare tool can help you connect to physicians in your area.

The healthcare professional will take a swab of your throat to check for the bacteria that causes the infection.

Oral infections are harder to cure than genital or rectal infections but can be treated with the right antibiotics.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends treating uncomplicated gonorrhea with a single 500-milligram (mg) intramuscular dose of ceftriaxone. People who weigh 330 lbs. (150 kg) or more should receive a single 1-gram (g) dose of ceftriaxone.

The recommendation applies to infections around the urinary tract, genitals, anus, rectum, and pharynx. Previously, the CDC recommended ceftriaxone plus oral azithromycin. The recommendations were changed because azithromycin resistance is an increasing concern.

If it’s possible that you have chlamydial infection, the CDC recommends 100 mg of doxycycliwork twice a day for 7 days.

If you have a cephalosporin allergy, a 240-mg intramuscular dose of gentamicin plus a 2-g oral dose of azithromycin may be considered.

You should avoid all sexual contact, including oral sex and kissing, for 7 days after completing treatment.

If your symptoms persist, see your healthcare professional.

If you’ve received a diagnosis or have been with someone who has, you should inform all recent sexual partners so they can be tested.

This includes anyone you’ve had sexual contact with in the 2 months before your symptoms started or your diagnosis.

Talking with your current or previous partners can be uncomfortable, but it needs to be done to avoid the risk of serious complications, transmitting the infection, and developing the infection again.

Being prepared with information about gonorrhea, its testing, and treatment can help you answer your partner’s questions.

If you’re worried about your partner’s reaction, consider making an appointment to see a healthcare professional together.

Here are some things you can say to get the conversation started:

• “I got some test results today, and I think we should talk about them. ”
• “My doctor just told me that I have something. There’s a chance you have it, too.”
• “I just found out that someone I was with a while back has gonorrhea. We should both get tested to be safe.”

In some states where it is legally permitted, clinicians will offer expedited partner therapy as it helps prevent re-infection if both partners are treated simultaneously.

If you prefer to remain anonymous

If you’re worried about talking with your current or previous partners, ask your doctor about contact tracing.

With contact tracing, your local health department will notify anyone who might have been exposed. It can be anonymous, so your sexual partner(s) don’t have to be told who referred them.

Mouthwash has long been believed to be able to cure gonorrhea. Until fairly recently, there was no scientific evidence to back the claim.

Data collected from a 2016 randomized controlled trial and an in vitro study found that the mouthwash Listerine significantly reduced the amount of N. gonorrhoeae (the bacteria that causes gonorrhea) on the pharyngeal (throat) surface.

While this is certainly promising, more research is needed to assess this claim. A larger trial is currently underway.

Antibiotics are the only treatment that’s proven to be effective.

If left untreated, oral gonorrhea can spread through your bloodstream to other parts of your body.

This can rarely lead to systemic gonococcal infection, also known as disseminated gonococcal infection.

Systemic gonococcal infection is a serious condition that can cause joint pain and swelling and skin sores. It can also cause an infection in the heart. However, this is very rare.

Gonorrhea of the genitals, rectum, and urinary tract can cause other serious complications when left untreated.

Possible complications include:

• pelvic inflammatory disease
• pregnancy complications
• infertility
• epididymitis
• higher risk of contracting HIV

With proper treatment, gonorrhea is curable. However, new strains of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea can be more difficult to treat.

The CDC recommends that anyone treated for oral gonorrhea return to their healthcare professional 7 to 14 days after treatment to make sure the infection is gone.

We don’t know how likely recurrence is in oral gonorrhea, specifically.

We do know that recurrence for other types of gonorrhea is high, affecting anywhere from 3.6 percent to 11 percent of people previously treated.

Retesting is recommended 3 to 6 months after treatment, even if you and your partner(s) have successfully completed treatment and are symptom-free. You should consider returning for other STI testing, as well.

You can reduce your risk for oral gonorrhea by using a dental dam or “male” condom every time you have oral sex.

A “male” condom can also be modified to use as a barrier when performing oral sex on the vagina or anus.

To do this:

• Carefully cut the tip off the condom.
• Cut across the bottom of the condom, just above the rim.
• Cut down one side of the condom.
• Open and lay flat over the vagina or anus.

Regular testing is also important. Consider getting tested before and after every partner.

ᐈ Gonorrhea in Women | Signs and Treatment of Gonococcal Infection

Gonorrhea is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection. It is most often diagnosed in sexually active young people aged 15 to 25 years. The causative agent of the disease is the gonococcus Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The bacterium affects the organs of the female reproductive system (cervix, uterus and its appendages), the urinary canal in both sexes, the oropharynx (if infection occurs during oral sex), the rectum (anal contact), sometimes the eyes, skin, joints. Gonorrhea in women is accompanied by discharge, itching and pain in the genital area, but is often asymptomatic, which makes diagnosis difficult and contributes to the further spread of gonococcal infection.

How gonorrhea is transmitted: sources of infection

Gonorrhea (gonorrhea) is transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person. Main routes of infection:

• Any variation of unprotected sexual contact (vaginal, oral, anal). Sexually, gonorrhea is transmitted very simply and quickly: the probability of infection with a single sexual intercourse with an infected partner without a condom is approximately 50%. Moreover, for the transmission of gonococcal infection, the release of sperm is not necessary, a simple contact with the parts of the body affected by the bacterium is sufficient.
• From mother to fetus while passing through the birth canal (vertical transmission mechanism).
• Contact-household transmission of the pathogen: possible in rare cases, through the sharing of personal hygiene items, towels, clothes. Outside the human body, gonococci die quickly (as the biological environment dries up), so the interaction of the mucous membranes with the infected biomaterial should occur as soon as possible.

The chance of contracting gonorrhea increases if the person already has other sexually transmitted diseases (chlamydia, syphilis). After curing a gonococcal infection, stable immunity is not formed – after contact with a sick person, you can become infected again.

Symptoms of gonorrhea in women

Signs of gonorrhea in women are nonspecific and similar to symptoms of other inflammatory diseases of the urogenital tract and pelvic organs:

• green tint;
• excessive blood flow (hyperemia) to the genitals, swelling, redness, hyperthermia;
• itching in the vulva and vagina;
• burning, cutting during urination;
• pain in the lower abdomen;
• menstrual irregularities, spotting outside of menstruation;
• pain during intercourse;
• fatigue, elevated body temperature.

Depending on which organs are affected by gonococcal infection (eyes, joints, oropharynx, rectum), other symptoms are possible: ;

joint pain, swelling and redness of the skin are signs of aseptic arthritis.

The incubation period of gonococcus is from 2 to 14 days, after this time symptoms of the disease may appear. But it should be borne in mind that in almost 50% of cases, gonorrhea in women occurs in a latent form, without any signs or has mild symptoms.

What threatens gonorrhea: complications

If not detected and treated in time, gonorrhea in women becomes chronic and threatens with complications over time. Self-healing is unlikely: without adequate therapy, a gonococcal infection will not go away on its own and will not just disappear.

Consequences of infection with gonococci:

• Inflammation of the uterus, appendages and other pelvic organs. As a result – scarring, adhesions, blockage of the fallopian tubes, increased risk of ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage and infertility.
• Untreated gonorrhea increases the chance of contracting other STIs, including HIV.
• If the pathogen enters the bloodstream, gonococcemia can develop, when the disease spreads to the joints, tendons, affects the skin, followed by the development of septic arthritis.
• Serious life-threatening complications include osteomyelitis, meningitis, endocarditis, polymyositis, adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), septic shock.
• Intrauterine infection of the fetus by an infected mother can cause blindness and sepsis in the unborn child.

Diagnosis

Testing for gonococcal infection is necessary in the following cases:

• detection of gonorrhea in a partner;
• after unprotected sex with a new partner;
• when planning a pregnancy;
• prophylactically – annually.

Several laboratory tests are available to detect gonorrhea in women. For some, it is necessary to pass a smear from the mucous membrane of the cervix (throat, rectum), for others – urine, blood, a sample of joint fluid:

• PCR (polymerase chain reaction) – detection of gonorrhea pathogen DNA. The fastest, most reliable and universal method, in addition to gonorrhea, detects other STIs (chlamydia, mycoplasma). Material for research – urogenital smear, biopsy, urine. The result is ready the next day.
• Bacteria: a mucosal sample is placed in a favorable medium and the gonococcus is cultured (this takes about 3 days). The method requires strict adherence to the rules for sampling, transportation of biomaterial. It is used to analyze swabs from the throat, rectum, joint fluid. In addition to the fact of the presence of gonococcal infection, it allows us to assess the sensitivity of the pathogen to antibiotics.
• Serology is a blood test used to detect chronic gonorrhea in women.

In addition to gonorrhea, other STIs are often present, so it is also recommended to be tested for mycoplasmosis, trichomoniasis, chlamydia.

Treatment of gonorrhea in women

If you seek medical help in a timely manner and follow all the doctor’s recommendations, the treatment of gonorrhea in women is successful.

Features of the treatment of gonococcal infection:

• Therapy includes a course of antibiotics, and it is necessary to choose the right drug. The difficulty lies in the fact that the gonococcus is constantly mutating, adapting to the active ingredients of antibacterial agents. Modern antibiotics contain a combination of cephalosporins and macrolides, the release form is injections or tablets. Accurately determine the resistance of the pathogen to the drug allows bakposev.
• Gonorrhea should be treated for both, the woman and her partner, it is important to complete the entire course (usually from 7 to 10 days) even if the symptoms disappear, otherwise the gonorrhea will go into a chronic latent form. Usually, the manifestations of the disease are significantly reduced within a few days after the start of antibiotic therapy. Otherwise, you should consult a doctor: it is possible that the gonococcus is resistant to the selected active substance and it is necessary to change the drug.
• When developing a treatment strategy, the doctor takes into account the severity of the disease, the presence of concomitant pathological processes and complications. Treatment of the chronic form of gonorrhea is more difficult and takes more time. In addition to antibiotics, immunostimulating drugs, vitamin complexes and other means are prescribed. Complications, related diseases require additional treatment.
• During the course of therapy, you should refrain from sexual intercourse.

Gonorrhea treatment test for women includes testing:

• immediately after completing a course of antibiotics;
• after 2-3 months;
• for the chronic form of gonorrhea – monthly for the first six months after the course of therapy.

Prevention of gonorrhea: how not to get infected?

Although gonorrhea in women is not an incurable disease, it is best to take every precaution not to get sick. You can reduce your risk of contracting gonococcal infections with simple prevention methods:

• Use condoms or other barrier contraceptives during sexual intercourse;
• Maintain intimate hygiene regularly;
• Pass an annual check-up at the gynecologist – to be examined for the presence of sexually transmitted infections;
• Get tested for STIs, including gonorrhea, every time you change sex partners.

For any suspicion of gonococcal or other infections, get tested, this is important. Take care of yourself and your intimate health.

Gonorrhea: symptoms, treatment and signs

Urologist, endourologist

Mkrtchyan

Karen Gagikovich

Experience 15 years

Candidate of Medical Sciences, member of the European Association of Urology and the Russian Society of Oncourologists

Make an appointment

Gonorrhea (gonorrhea) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. Its causative agent is the bacterium gonococcus, which affects the mucous membranes of the human body. The chronic course of the disease causes infertility.

Symptoms and signs of gonorrhea

The symptoms of gonorrhea vary between men and women. The defeat of the male body begins with the urethra, in which itching and burning occur. Squeezing the glans penis provokes the release of pus, the process of urination becomes frequent and painful, sexual intercourse ends with the release of blood from the seminal canal. Visual examination reveals intense redness of the foreskin and head of the penis. In some cases, the inguinal lymph nodes become inflamed, pain occurs in the prostate gland, erection becomes difficult, and bacteria infect the seminal vesicles and testicles.

In women, the picture of the disease becomes different – up to half of the carriers of the infection do not notice its signs. The lesion begins with the urethra and cervical canal, then the vagina is involved. Pale yellow discharge appears from the urethra, reddening of the skin and cervix becomes apparent, local temperature increases, itching and burning occur. In a chronic course, the infection is fixed in the uterus and its appendages.

The incubation period of the disease is 4-4 days, with good immunity, the first signs of gonorrhea in men and women occur 4-8 weeks after infection.

Causes

Gonococcus, the causative agent of gonorrhea, is transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person only through direct contact. The most common way is genital during intercourse. Anogenital and orogenital methods of infection are common.

The manifestation of gonorrhea in women during pregnancy raises the risk of infection of the child, who has to pass through the birth canal of a sick mother. Infection through common household items is possible, but there is no unequivocal evidence in favor of this phenomenon – the gonococcus quickly dies in the external environment.

Ways of infection

The main channel of infection is unprotected sexual intercourse. For women, due to the peculiarities of physiology, it carries a greater risk – the probability of getting gonococcus into the body during vaginal penetration is 95%. Men risk half as much – the small size of the urethral inlet prevents bacteria from entering the mucous membranes, ejaculation or urination after proximity wash out the gonococcus.

Anogenital contacts carry similar risks, the gonococcus is fixed on the inner lining of the rectum of the penetrating partner. The likelihood of infection increases in the presence of damage to the mucous membranes or skin (anal fissures, the effects of hemorrhoids, etc.).

Orogenital contacts remain possible by infecting one of the partners. It is difficult for gonococcus to enter the human body through the tissues of the nasopharynx, but weakened immunity or tissue damage become favorable circumstances for infection.

Risk factors

A key risk factor is intimacy without the use of contraceptives, oral caress of an infected partner. These actions are highly likely to ensure that a person is infected with gonorrhea, regardless of the strength of immunity and the degree of concern for one’s own health.

Other factors:

• past diagnosis of gonorrhea;
• under 25 years of age;
• frequent change of sexual partners;
• the appearance of a new sexual partner.

Long-term observations made it possible to establish that the age group of 18-25 years is prone to the highest risk during sexual intercourse.

Complications

The greatest danger to infected men and women is potential infertility. Sometimes gonorrhea is accompanied by candidiasis, syphilis or chlamydia. The advanced form of gonorrhea – the chronic course of the disease – can lead to bacterial damage to the kidneys, bladder or other organs (including the heart).

Common complications in women are:

• fallopian tube rupture;
• pelvioperitonitis;
• menstrual disorders;
• formation of adhesions in the peritoneum.

In men, the list of potential complications includes narrowing of the urethra, impotence, prostatitis, testicular necrosis, orchiepididymitis (unilateral inflammation of the testicle or epididymis).

When to see a doctor

A visit to the doctor should be planned in three cases. The first is self-detection of the symptoms of the disease or its individual manifestations. The second is the identification of gonorrhea in a partner during tests or the suspicion that she / he has gonococcus. The third is cohabitation with an infected person.

The diagnosis and treatment of gonorrhea is carried out by a venereologist. JSC “Medicina” (clinic of Academician Roitberg) is located at 2nd Tverskoy-Yamskoy lane, building 10. The clinic is equipped with the equipment necessary for the successful diagnosis of gonorrhea in the early stages. Qualification of the staff will provide patients with effective treatment in a short time.

Preparing for a doctor’s visit

A visit of patients to a venereologist is often accompanied by sampling. To obtain correct results, you should follow a few simple rules:

• stop taking medications (antibiotics) that may interfere with screening;
• do not urinate for 1.5-2 hours before admission to ensure correct smear data;
• avoid the use of genital creams and ointments;
• do not use local baths and do not shower 6-8 hours before the appointment;
• do not eat for 3-4 hours before visiting the venereologist.

Preparation for admission according to the above scheme will provide reliable results of blood tests and smears from the urethra.

Diagnostics

Complaints and examination of the patient by a doctor do not always allow assessing the clinical picture of the disease. To accurately confirm the diagnosis of gonorrhea, a collection of secretions from the urethra, anus, vagina and cervix in women is required. Sowing secretions in a nutrient medium demonstrates to laboratory staff the manifestations of gonococcal activity and their resistance to certain types of antibiotics.

Conducting an enzyme immunoassay involves the delivery of urine. Using this method, antibodies to the bacterium that causes gonorrhea are detected. Their presence in the patient’s body confirms the diagnosis.

A general and biochemical analysis of the patient’s blood allows you to assess the state of the body, to verify the presence or absence of inflammatory processes and accompanying gonorrhea diseases.

Treatment

Gonorrhea in its initial form without complications is treated on an outpatient basis – the venereologist prescribes drugs and describes to the patient the scheme for taking them. Cases with complications may require the intervention of a gynecologist or urologist for women and men, respectively.

Acute uncomplicated gonorrhea is treated for 7-10 days with oral and topical (ointment) antibiotics. Treatment is prescribed not only to the carrier of the infection, but also to his partner. The stage of therapy involves the rejection of intimacy, spicy food and alcohol. It is recommended to observe the rules of personal hygiene: washing hands after using the toilet and shower.

Treatment of the chronic form begins with a course of immunostimulating drugs, which are delivered to the patient’s body through intramuscular injections for 7-10 days. After that, the venereologist prescribes a traditional course of antibiotics. Control screening is carried out after completion of treatment and every 30 days for the next six months.

Home treatment

Gonorrhea is a dangerous infectious disease that should not be treated on its own. A venereologist will be able to select effective drugs in a dosage that will not cause the patient to experience side effects. Screening will allow the doctor to evaluate the course of the disease and make sure there are no co-infections or prescribe additional medications if they are detected.

Self-medication is the first step towards the transition of gonorrhea to the chronic stage. The dosage of drugs incorrectly calculated by the patient relieves the acute symptoms of the disease, but does not provide a complete recovery.

Myths about gonorrhea

The infection can be contracted through household items, personal hygiene products, dishes, handrails in public transport. No, unless these objects have contact with the urethra, rectum, or nasopharynx.

Gonorrhea can be brought into the blood during tests. Exceptions – clinics use disposable needles and syringes, which are destroyed after use.