Gonorrhea, also known as "the clap," is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Gonorrhea doesn't often cause symptoms. When it does, people can experience vaginal or penile discharge and pain when urinating or during sex. The infection can be easily treated with antibiotics. However, if left untreated, it can lead to serious complications, including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility.
Gonorrhea is a bacterial sexually transmitted disease. It is treatable with antibiotics, however, the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium that causes gonorrhea has become resistant to most antibiotics. While a single dose of azithromycin and ceftriaxone can clear most infections, reinfection is common.
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection that is spread through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected partner. In 2017, there were 555,608 reported cases of gonorrhea in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Gonorrhea symptoms can vary depending on the type of infection, and many people have no symptoms at all. Symptoms include vaginal or penile discharge that may be greenish-yellow or white, burning or pain when urinating, vaginal itchiness, bleeding between periods, lower abdominal pain or discomfort, pain during sex, and swelling in the testicles or scrotum. Rectal gonorrhea may cause mild itchiness, discomfort, bleeding, or pain during defecation.
Gonorrhea is also known as the clap, but the reasons why are unclear. One theory is it is short for the 13th century French word clapoire, which was a slang term for brothels. Another theory is the phrase comes from a medieval treatment for gonorrhea that involved clapping one's hands around the penis to reduce the pain and swelling.
No. Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. You cannot get gonorrhea from kissing.
No, gonorrhea is a bacterial infection and requires treatment with antibiotics. Left untreated, gonorrhea can cause serious and permanent damage including infertility. In women, gonorrhea can spread into the uterus or fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease. It can also spread to the bloodstream and cause disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI), a potentially life-threatening illness.
Discharge from the vagina or the penis can be a symptom of a sexually transmitted disease or other infection. Vaginal discharge is most often a normal occurrence, but penile discharge is not. Abnormal vaginal discharge can indicate infection and may be foul smelling, thick or chunky, and white, yellow, or green. If you have abnormal vaginal or penile discharge, see your doctor.
An ectopic pregnancy is a nonviable pregnancy in which the fertilized egg has implanted outside the uterus. Sometimes called a tubal pregnancy, it commonly occurs in the fallopian tubes, but the egg may also implant on the cervix or elsewhere in the abdomen.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the reproductive organs. Commonly caused by an untreated sexually transmitted disease, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. PID occurs when bacteria travels through the cervix to the uterus and fallopian tubes.
Pharyngitis is the medical term for a sore throat. The pharynx, the cavity behind the nose and mouth that leads to the stomach and lungs, is an easy target for infection and irritation that cause a sore throat. Pharyngitis is a symptom of oral gonorrhea.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections spread through intimate contact. Also known as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or venereal disease (VD), STDs can be caused by bacteria, parasites, and viruses. Common STDs include chlamydia, genital herpes, gonorrhea, HIV/AIDS, HPV, syphilis, and trichomoniasis. Correct usage of latex condoms reduces the risk of contracting an STD, but does not prevent all STDs.
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