Gonorrhea is transmitted during sex , and it's usually the genitals that are affected. Intense itching and pain can be the first indications of possible infection. Many people, however, notice nothing at all. This is true in around 70 percent of infections. Read more : Sex in Germany — Study opens a window into German bedrooms. The anal area and even the mouth and throat can also be infected by gonococci bacteria, for example through unprotected oral sex.
The pathogens are extremely virulent and people can become infected very quickly. In a worst-case scenario, gonorrhea can lead to infertility in both women and men. If the condition isn't treated immediately and is allowed to spread, it can lead to inflammation of the lesser pelvis and subsequently to a blockage of the fallopian tubes in women, which can mean infertility.
In men it can have the same effect on the seminal ducts and testes. If a pregnant woman becomes infected with gonorrhea, there is a danger the infection may be transmitted to the unborn child, which can result in miscarriage or stillbirth.
In babies, the eyes in particular are affected. Newborns develop symptoms just a few days after birth, including swollen eyelids and light sensitivity. For a long time, antibiotics were the treatment of choice for gonorrhea in adults and newborns, but now there's a need to develop new medicines. The German Sexually Transmitted Infections Society is banking on a combination of the development of effective therapies and good prophylaxis. It wants to see the acronym STI — sexually transmitted infections — become as firmly anchored in the public consciousness as the letters HIV human immunodeficiency virus.
The number of people living with HIV in Germany has increased relatively slowly in recent years, partly as a result of repeated information campaigns. Germany has the lowest infection rate in the word, said Brockmeyer. Meanwhile, though, there are more and more campaigns tackling old, well-known diseases like gonorrhea and syphilis. It's a different scenario with the classic venereal diseases. Many people don't really understand which infections come under this heading, or what the different terms actually mean: chlamydia, for example, or hepatitis B; genital herpes; the human papillomavirus HPV ; or indeed syphilis and gonorrhea.
The risk of becoming infected with HIV is also considerably higher if you've already been infected with one of the classic STIs.
A random sampling of one of the many posts on an internet forum about gonorrhea highlights the long-standing prejudices that are still prevalent: "I'd actually only ever heard of gonorrhea in the context of rich business people who'd gone on holiday to Asia and then infected their partners.
You don't have to be rich, and you don't need to travel to Asia, to catch gonorrhea. It can happen anywhere — including at home.
The drama " BPM" is the latest film to take on the illness. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.
Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Overview Medicare Coverage Options. Broker Resources. Individuals and Families. Health and Wellness. Wellness Library. Female Reproductive System. Topic Overview What is gonorrhea? What causes gonorrhea? What are the symptoms? If there are symptoms, they may include: Pain when you urinate.
Abnormal discharge from the penis or vagina. How is gonorrhea diagnosed? How is it treated? How can you prevent gonorrhea? Use a condom every time you have sex. Latex and polyurethane condoms keep out the viruses and bacteria that cause STIs.
Don't have more than one sex partner at a time. The safest sex is with one partner who has sex only with you. Every time you add a new sex partner, you are being exposed to all of the diseases that all of that person's partners may have.
Be responsible. Don't have sex if you have symptoms of an infection or if you are being treated for an STI. Wait to have sex with a new partner until both of you have been tested for STIs. Cause Cause Gonorrhea is caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Symptoms Symptoms It is fairly common for gonorrhea to cause no symptoms, especially in women. Symptoms in women In women, the early symptoms are sometimes so mild that they are mistaken for a bladder infection or vaginal infection.
Symptoms may include: Painful or frequent urination. Anal itching, discomfort, bleeding, or discharge. Abnormal vaginal discharge. Abnormal vaginal bleeding during or after sex or between periods. Genital itching. Irregular menstrual bleeding. Lower abdominal belly pain. Fever and general tiredness. Swollen and painful glands at the opening of the vagina Bartholin glands.
Painful sexual intercourse. Sore throat rare. Pinkeye conjunctivitis rare. Symptoms in men In men, symptoms are usually obvious enough that they will cause a man to seek medical treatment before complications occur. Symptoms may include: Abnormal discharge from the penis clear or milky at first, and then yellow, creamy, and excessive, sometimes blood-tinged.
Painful or frequent urination or urethritis. Other Symptoms Disseminated gonococcal infection DGI occurs when the gonorrhea infection spreads to sites other than the genitals, such as the joints, skin, heart, or blood.
Symptoms of DGI include: Rash. Joint pain or arthritis. Inflamed tendons. What Happens What Happens Gonorrhea causes no long-term problems if it is treated early in the course of the infection before any complications develop. Complications in women Women with untreated gonorrhea may have the following complications of the female reproductive system: Pelvic inflammatory disease PID.
The risk of infertility increases with each episode of PID. An abscess in or near the ovaries tubo-ovarian abscess Inflammation of the Bartholin glands An ectopic tubal pregnancy Chronic pelvic pain Infertility Fitz-Hugh—Curtis syndrome rare Complications in pregnant women Problems related to untreated gonorrhea in pregnant women include: The possibility of a miscarriage. Preterm labor. The woman may be given medicines to prevent premature birth, which could require a stay in the hospital.
Premature rupture of the membranes PROM , which happens before labor contractions start. The amniotic sac breaks open, causing amniotic fluid to gush out, or less commonly, to slowly leak. Premature delivery. A premature infant has an increased risk of health problems. Infection of the lining of the uterus endometritis. Complications in newborns Newborns of women with untreated gonorrhea may have any of the following complications: Pinkeye conjunctivitis. Most newborns who have gonorrhea also get pinkeye.
An infection in the bloodstream sepsis Inflammation of a joint arthritis Scalp infections at the site of a fetal monitoring device Infection of the fluid and tissues that surround the brain and spinal cord meningitis Complications in men Men with untreated gonorrhea may develop: Epididymitis , an inflammation and infection of the epididymis—the long, tightly coiled tube that lies behind each testicle and collects sperm.
An inflammation of the prostate gland prostatitis. Complications of untreated gonorrhea in other areas of the body Disseminated gonococcal infection DGI occurs when the gonorrhea infection spreads to sites other than the genitals, such as the joints, skin, heart, or blood. Complications of DGI include: Fever. Skin infection cellulitis. An infection in the bloodstream sepsis.
Inflammation of a joint arthritis. It most often affects the knees and hands. An infection and inflammation of the heart valves and the chambers of the heart endocarditis. An infection of the fluid and tissues that surround the brain and spinal cord meningitis.
Having a high-risk partner partner has other sex partners, unprotected sex, or gonorrhea-infected sex partners. Having unprotected sexual contact not using condoms. When should you call your doctor? In women: Call your doctor immediately if you have the following symptoms. Vaginal discharge that has become yellowish, thicker, or bad-smelling Bleeding between periods that occurs more than once when periods are usually regular Pain during sexual intercourse Bleeding after sexual intercourse Sores, bumps, rashes, blisters, or warts on or around the genital or anal area Anal itching, discomfort, bleeding, or discharge.
Burning, pain, or itching with urination or frequent urination lasting longer than 24 hours Pelvic or lower belly pain that occurs without a known cause, such as diarrhea or menstrual cramps Pinkeye conjunctivitis Call your doctor or clinic if you have unprotected sex with someone who has, or who you think may have, a sexually transmitted infection. In men: Call your doctor immediately if you have the following symptoms. Sores, bumps, rashes, blisters, or warts on or around the genital or anal areas Burning, pain, or itching with urination or frequent urination lasting longer than 24 hours Suspected exposure to a sexually transmitted infection Abnormal discharge from the penis Pinkeye conjunctivitis Anal itching, discomfort, bleeding, or discharge.
Watchful waiting Watchful waiting is a period of time during which you and your doctor observe your symptoms or condition without using medical treatment. Who to see Health professionals who can diagnose and treat gonorrhea include: Nurse practitioner. Physician assistant. Family medicine physician.
Exams and Tests Exams and Tests Diagnosis of gonorrhea includes a medical history and a physical exam. Do you think you have been exposed to any sexually transmitted infections STIs?
How do you know? Did your partner tell you? What are your symptoms? Do you have any discharge? If you have discharge from your vagina or penis, it is important to note any smell or color. Do you have sores in your genital area or anywhere else on your body? Do you have any urinary symptoms, including frequent urination, burning or stinging with urination, or urinating in small amounts?
Do you have any unusual belly or pelvic pain? What method of birth control do you use? Do you use a condom to protect against STIs every time you have sex?
Do you or your partner engage in certain sexual behaviors that may put you at risk, such as having multiple sex partners or having sex without using a condom except if you're in a long-term relationship? Have you had an STI in the past?
How was it treated? Then: A woman may have a pelvic exam. A man may have a genital exam to look for signs of urethritis and epididymitis. You may have a urine test for gonorrhea. Your doctor may recommend testing for: Chlamydia, a bacterial infection of the urethra in men, and the urethra, the cervix, or the upper reproductive organs or all three in women.
You should avoid having sex until you, and your partner, have been treated and given the all-clear, to prevent re-infection or passing the infection on to anyone else. If your symptoms do not improve after treatment or you think you've been infected again, see your doctor or nurse. You may need repeat treatment or further tests to check for other problems. Gonorrhoea is easily passed on through intimate sexual contact.
If you're diagnosed with it, anyone you've recently had sex with may have it too. It's important that your current partner and any other recent sexual partners are tested and treated. Your local genitourinary medicine GUM or sexual health clinic may be able to help by notifying any of your previous partners on your behalf.
0コメント