Gonorrhea – how to recognize the symptoms? Can it be completely cured? [WE EXPLAIN]

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Gonorrhea is an infectious disease that is sexually transmitted. The disease is caused by bacteria that enter the body through contact with an infected person. There are also situations when gonorrhea is triggered by the use of public toilets or insufficient hygiene.

Gonorrhea (tryper) is a sexually transmitted disease most often. It is caused by bacteria in the form of gonorrhea Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Split skin is usually found in wet areas of the body, such as the mouth, rectum or genitourinary tract. The name of this bacterium comes from the fact that it always occurs in pairs: two in each. Gonorrhea infection can also occur during oral and anal contact with an infected person.

Very often people suffering from gonorrhea are not aware of their disease, which is why they often underestimate the first symptoms, which, unfortunately, in extreme cases ends in complete sterility. Moreover Newborns are also at risk of gonorrheaspread to which the disease is transmitted during childbirth, which may result in eye tissue infection.

Attention

Gonorrhea can coexist with other STDs!

Gonorrhea is the most common bacterial infection that is transmitted through sexual contact. Reports published in recent years indicate that in the world, including in the EU countries, it is observed increase in the number of cases of sexually transmitted diseases, including gonorrhea. According to WHO, between 2005 and 2008, the highest jump in the number of new cases in the world concerned gonorrhea, amounting to as much as 21 percent.

The statistics from the following years also turn out to be disturbing, as in the years 2007-2011 in the European region there was an increase in the incidence of gonorrhea by 19%. In some countries (eg Greece, Portugal, Slovakia, Ireland) the relative increase in gonorrhea cases rose by more than 50%.

See: STDs are back – syphilis, gonorrhea, and more

Gonorrhea in Poland

Regarding gonorrhea in Poland, official data indicate a decrease in the incidence between 2000 and 2011 – at that time a change in the incidence rate was noticed from 1,9 to 100 thousand. people at 0,8–0,9 per 100 thous. people. For comparison, the worst situation in 2011 was found in Great Britain, where the incidence was 37,1. Meanwhile, in the Czech Republic the coefficient was 6,7, in Slovakia it was 3,6, and in Portugal it was 1,1.

According to the National Institute of Hygiene, the incidence of gonorrhea in Poland was higher than in other European countries in the 80s (in 1984 it was 44,39). Although the data show that the situation has now changed and that there are fewer cases, it is likely to be underestimated. This is indicated by the exceptionally low number of confirmed cases compared to the neighboring countries of Poland. The situation may arise from the fact that many cases go undiagnosed (patients do not go to the doctor due to lack of symptoms or ignore them) or not all are reported by medical entities as required.

To check if you have been infected with venereal disease, buy the Sexually transmitted diseases – diagnostic tests package offered by the uPatient company. This way you will find out if you are not HIV, hepatitis C, HBV, HSV, or if you have syphilis or chlamydia.

Gonorrhea is common in men

In European countries, gonorrhea is more common in men than in women. Poland is at the forefront, and the proportion is as follows – one infection diagnosed in women to as many as 14 in men.

The causes of gonorrhea

The most important cause of gonorrhea is sexual contact (anal, oral or genital) with partners who are infected with the disease. Also, using the same items of daily hygiene, such as sponges or towels, can cause gonorrhea infections. It is worth mentioning that gonorrhea bacteria can survive on a toilet seat or on a towel for up to four hoursTherefore, it is worth avoiding sitting on the toilet seat in the public toilet. Unfortunately, staying in bed with a sick partner can also lead to infection.

Women are more likely to get infected with gonorrhea due to the significant exposure of the vaginal mucosa and the cervix. The area of ​​the mucosa susceptible to infection is in this case larger than in men, where in the genital region the bacterium may come into contact with the mucosa in the vicinity of the urethral orifice. However, it should be remembered that although gonorrhea usually affects these areas locally, it can also attack the throat and anus, and sometimes also the conjunctival sac.

Also read: Non-obvious sexually transmitted infections

Symptoms of gonorrhea in men and women

People infected with gonorrhea often do not recognize the disease for a long time because the symptoms of gonorrhea can be confusing and ambiguous. The first symptoms of the disease may appear a few days after intercourse with the carrier of the bacteria.

In men symptoms develop much faster than in women (usually within 2 to 7 days) and the primary site of infection is the urethra. In the male sex, there are:

  1. purulent discharge from the urethra (main symptom),
  2. pain and burning in the urethra
  3. swelling of the epididymides,
  4. itching and infection in the anal area,
  5. tenderness of epididymides,
  6. inflammation of the glans.

In 10% of cases, the disease is asymptomatic, and when it becomes chronic, the symptoms decrease.

In women gonorrhea symptoms appear on average within 7–14 days. The most severe stage of gonorrhea infection may be completely ignored – the associated vaginal discharge may be associated with other ailments. As a result, women see a doctor only when gonorrhea becomes chronic. The cervix is ​​considered the primary site of infection in women, but the spread of infection can affect the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus. In addition, women complain about:

  1. burning and pain associated with urinating;
  2. itching and infections around the anus,
  3. pain during sexual intercourse
  4. pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen,
  5. high temperature,
  6. intermenstrual bleeding.

If you have these symptoms, get tested for intimate illness. Order the urogenital package for intimate diseases – 14 pathogens for men or women. Take the swab yourself, send it at the recipient’s expense and check the results on the website.

Attention

Untreated gonorrhea can lead to adnexitis in women and testicular and epididymitis in men.

The symptoms of gonorrhea should be consulted with your doctor. A venereologist is a specialist in venereal diseases, but disturbing skin lesions can also be checked by a gynecologist or urologist. If we are not sure who to go to, we can also start diagnostics by visiting a family doctor’s office.

If you notice any disturbing symptoms, discuss them with your doctor as soon as possible. Remember that you can use the e-visit option – at any time of the day or night.

Gonorrhea that occurs outside the genitals

Gonorrhea is a condition that can affect not only the cervix in women or the urethra of men, but also other areas of the human body.

1. Gonococcal pharyngitis – in most cases it does not give any symptoms, but in some it is characterized by swelling of the palatine arches and the back of the throat and redness. Additionally, purulent discharge may appear.

2. Gonococcal proctitis – it usually occurs in people who have anal sex and, like gonorrhea, may be asymptomatic. In the symptomatic form of the disease, patients develop burning and itching of the anus, problems with passing stools and exudation of mucous secretions from the anus.

3. Sclerotic gonorrhea – split bacteria is spread through the blood (most often in women). The symptoms of this form of the disease are skin lesions and joint pain.

4. Gonococcal conjunctivitis – is a condition that mainly affects babies who are infected during childbirth. Symptoms vary in severity and, if left untreated, the disease can lead to corneal damage and visual impairment.

Gonorrhea – diagnosis of the disease

In the diagnosis of gonorrhea, it is important to conduct a medical interview with the patient and perform it tests for the presence of gonorrhea. For this purpose (depending on the location of the disease), a swab is taken from the vagina, urethra, cervix or pharynx and rectum. This method is more often used in men. A vaginal swab taken from a woman is tested for the presence of bacterial genes or it is used for bacterial culture. A sample of the secretion with the appropriate medium is then placed on the plate and incubated for two days until the bacteria form colonies visible to the naked eye.

Diagnostic examination for gonorrhea can be performed not only at the clinic, but also at home. This option is available on Medonet Market at an attractive price.

Therefore, diagnostic tests for gonorrhea include: microscopic tests (Gram’s method or methyl blue), bacterial culture, PCR and LCR. If gonorrhea is suspected, a sugar fermentation test is also recommended to help distinguish between the causative bacteria and meningococcal disease.

If a patient is diagnosed with gonorrhea, other tests for other venereal diseases, such as syphilis, should also be performed.

Read more: Research on sexually transmitted diseases

In the event of gonorrhea symptoms, you should see a doctor who, after diagnosis, will refer you to pharmacological treatment. It is also necessary giving drugs to your partnerwith whom a patient with gonorrhea has sexual contact.

Gonorrhea is treated under medical supervision with antibiotics (penicillin) and cephalosporins, but some gonococcal strains have become resistant to this type of antibiotic. In such a situation, it is used, for example, doxycycline.

Note:

It should be remembered that trying to treat gonorrhea on its own can lead to chronic infection and complications.

Due to its structure and the composition of the genital secretions of young girls, it is easy for them to become infected indirectly, e.g. by using the same sponge together. Then the infection spreads to the vagina and vulva, and treatment, as in adults, consists in administering antibiotics.

Can you completely cure yourself of gonorrhea?

Yes, it is possible to cure gonorrhea completely. After at least three days from the end of the treatment, the patient should undergo a control bacterioscopic examination or culture.

Check when it is worth having a preventive blood and urine test. Their results should always be consulted with a doctor.

Complications of gonorrhea

Ignoring the symptoms of gonorrhea, not recognizing the disease, untreated or inadequate treatment can lead to complications such as:

  1. disseminated gonococcal infection (0,5–3% of cases) – may be the result of sepsis, which is the result of gonorrhea hit in the blood, with which they are transported to various internal organs;
  2. joint and skin syndrome – accompanied by joint pain and inflammation (mainly ankle, knee, metacarpophalangeal and wrist), in more than half of cases skin lesions also appear in the area of ​​joints (spots, lumps, haemorrhagic eruptions);
  3. meningitis;
  4. infection of the entire genitourinary system;
  5. epididymitis in men;
  6. prostatitis;
  7. Tyson gland inflammation (within the foreskin and frenulum) – this inflammation can sometimes be the only symptom of gonorrhea in men;
  8. infertility;
  9. adnexitis in women;
  10. inflammation of the greater vestibular glands (Bartholina) – can occur in women, manifesting as swelling, pain (often stronger when walking) and the accumulation of purulent discharge on the labia majora;
  11. infection of the baby during childbirth (which may result in loss of vision of the baby).

Here are some practical tips that play an important role in preventing gonorrhea.

  1. Try to stay in a monogamous relationship and avoid sexual intercourse with a large number of partners.
  2. Remember to use condoms regularly and correctly to protect against STDs.
  3. All pregnant women should be screened for gonorrhea. 
  4. Remember to test for HPV, syphilis or chlamydia, as gonorrhea often coexists with these ailments. 
  5. Remember to observe your own body.
  6. Avoid casual sexual intercourse.
  7. Avoid sexual intercourse with or during treatment of infected people.
  8. When using the public toilet, do not sit on the toilet seat. 
  9. Do not share with others (e.g. household members) personal hygiene items, e.g. towels, washing sponges.
  10. Absolutely avoid borrowing both from someone else and from someone else – underwear or a bathing suit.

Using contraception will protect you best against any sexually transmitted disease. There is a wide selection of condoms on Medonet Market – do not hesitate and protect yourself to enjoy an unforgettable experience without fear for your health.

Other related topics:

  1. A condom is not enough
  2. Is it sexual herpes?
  3. Genital warts – where do they appear and how to treat?

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