Gonorrhea

How is it Spread?

Gonorrhea is spread through contact with the penis, vagina, mouth or anus. Ejaculation does not have to occur for gonorrhea to be transmitted or acquired. Gonorrhea can also be spread from mother to baby during delivery.

People who have been treated for gonorrhea may get infected again if they have sexual contact with a person infected with gonorrhea.

Any sexually active person can be infected with gonorrhea. In the United States, the highest reported rates of infection are among sexually active teenagers and young adults.

Symptoms

• Frequently asymptomatic (no symptoms).
• Discharge from penis, vagina or rectum.
• Burning or itching during urination.
• Sore throat.

Effects of Gonorrhea

Untreated gonorrhea can cause serious and permanent health problems in both women and men.

• In women, gonorrhea is a common cause of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Women with PID do not necessarily have symptoms. PID can damage the fallopian tubes enough to cause infertility. PAMF recommends yearly gonorrhea testing of all sexually active women age 25 or younger. 
• In men, gonorrhea can cause epididymitis, a painful condition of the testicles that can lead to infertility if untreated. 
• Gonorrhea can spread to the blood or joints. This condition can be life threatening. People with gonorrhea can more easily contract HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. HIV-infected people with gonorrhea are more likely to transmit HIV to someone else.

Prevention

The best way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted infections is to abstain from sexual intercourse or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who is known to be uninfected.

Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of gonorrhea transmission.

Any genital symptoms such as discharge, burning during urination or unusual sore or rash should be a signal to stop having sex and to see a doctor immediately. If a person has been diagnosed and treated for gonorrhea, they should notify all recent sex partners to see a healthcare provider and be treated. The person and all sex partners must avoid sex until they've completed treatment.

Treatment

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a single dose of two antibiotics to cure gonorrhea. However, drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea are increasing in many areas of the world – including the United States – and successful treatment of gonorrhea is becoming more difficult. 

Because many people with gonorrhea also have chlamydia – another sexually transmitted infection – antibiotics for both infections are usually given together. Persons with gonorrhea should be tested for other STIs. 

It's important to take all of the medication prescribed to cure gonorrhea. Although medication will stop the infection, it will not repair any permanent damage done by the disease. 

Last Reviewed: September 2019