Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae and is also sometimes referred to as “the clap”.

The number of people with gonorrhea infection is on the rise in Canada and has nearly doubled in the past 10 years. It is the 2^nd most common bacterial STI, and often occurs as a co-infection with chlamydia.

What you should know

Risks for transmission

Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that is spread through unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex with an infected partner, including through mutual masturbation and sharing of sex toys.

Penetration and ejaculation are not required for transmission.

It can be passed from an infected mother to her infant during birth.

Symptoms

Most women do not develop any symptoms of gonorrhea, but most men do.

When symptoms do occur, they might only appear 2-7 days after infection.

Female:

Increased vaginal discharge
Pain in the abdomen or in the lower back
Vaginal bleeding after intercourse or between menstrual periods
Pain during intercourse

Both female and male:

Painful urination
Pain, itching, bleeding, and/or mucus discharge of the rectum
Redness, itching, and/or discharges of the eyes (for gonorrhea in the eyes)
Throat infection

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Male:

Thick, yellowish-green discharge from penis
Testicular pain or swelling
Itching penis

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Prevention

Condoms can help prevent the spread of gonorrhea during anal or vaginal sex, and condoms or dental dams can be used for protection during oral sex.

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Testing

Testing for gonorrhea is done by swabbing the infected area or by using a urine sample.

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Treatment

Gonorrhea is treated usually with dual therapy antibiotics, as a single dose by mouth and a single muscular injection.
Sexual partners who have had contact with an infected person within 60 days of diagnosis require testing and treatment.

Anyone treated for gonorrhea should be re-tested 6 months afterwards.
Patients treated for gonorrhea should also be treated for chlamydia.

Don’t have sex until treatment is complete (7 days after a single dose treatment).

Complications

If left untreated, gonorrhea can cause serious health complications.

In women, gonorrhea can spread from the cervix to the uterus and fallopian tubes, an infection called Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). This can then lead to chronic pelvic pain, risk of ectopic pregnancies, and infertility.
In men, gonorrhea can cause testes infection.

For pregnant women, gonorrhea can also cause miscarriage, preterm birth, premature rupture of membranes, or infection. It can be passed from mother to child during birth, causing an eye infection or a severe infection in the blood.

In both men and women, gonorrhea can cause arthritis, infertility, or severe infection in the blood.