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GONORRHOEA​

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  • Gonorrhoea is a very common STI and mainly spreads through the sexual route

  • Gonorrhoea is caused by a virus called Neisseria gonorrhoeae or gonococcus

  • It affects a wide set of organs such as the genitals, the eye, the rectum and the pharynx

  • Gonorrhoea can also cause conjunctivitis, especially in people with a weak immune system and in case of infants

  • The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that half of the new gonorrhoea infections occur among young adults in the age group of 15 to 24

  • This is a curable infection

Neisseria gonorrhoea virus
Gonorrhoea symptoms, treatment and prevention

Transmission of Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea usually spreads due to one of the following

  • During unprotected sexual intercourse, through the vaginal fluid or semen. Ejaculation does not need to occur for gonorrhoea to spread

  • Transmission from mother to the baby during childbirth

  • Reinfection can occur if one has unprotected sexual intercourse after treatment (until infection totally clears)

  • Contaminated fingers touching the eye can cause Gonococcal conjunctivitis

  • Sharing of unclean sex toys also spreads the disease

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Gonorrhoea is not spread by kissing, hugging, swimming pools, toilet seats or sharing baths, towels, cups, plates or cutlery. The bacteria cannot survive outside the human body for long.

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Symptoms of Gonorrhoea

Symptoms of gonorrhoea in men and women

Complications of Gonorrhoea

If not treated in time, Gonorrhoea can cause multiple complications in both men and women:

  • If untreated, Gonorrhoea can cause several complications in men which lead to infertility

  • Gonorrhoea has been strongly linked to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in women which also results in infertility

  • Moreover, the spread from a mother to new-born can cause conjunctivitis in new-borns 

  • When gonorrhoea spread becomes severe and spreads to the bloodstream, it is known as Disseminated Gonococcal Infection (DGI) and this can cause symptoms like: Arthritis, Inflammation and redness of skin, collection of fluid in joints, conjunctivitis, etc. This condition is life threatening

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Prevention of Gonorrhoea

  • Sensitise young adults regarding the risks of gonorrhoea, especially young women

  • Do not engage in unprotected sexual intercourse, especially with multiple partners 

  • Pregnant women should always be screened for Gonorrhoea in order to prevent any spread to child during childbirth

  • Partners of infected patients should be informed and tested to prevent further infections

  • Do not use shared sex toys without proper washing or always put a condom on the toy

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Treatment of Gonorrhoea

  • For treatment, a wide range of antibiotics like ceftriaxone, ciproflaxin and ofloflaxin are prescribed

  • The sexual partner/s should also be traced and tested for the disease

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