Download Gonorrhea - Government of New Brunswick

GONORRHEA
What is gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium (a germ) Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Gonorrhea infection
is on the increase in New Brunswick.
What are the symptoms?
It usually takes two to seven days for symptoms to appear. Some people do not have symptoms. If they do appear, symptoms
may include:
Females
Males
•
•
•
•
• Creamy white and yellow discharge from the penis; and,
• Burning or pain when urinating.
Unusual discharge from the vagina;
Burning feeling when urinating;
Vaginal bleeding after sex; and,
Lower abdominal (belly) pain.
In both men and women, a gonorrhea infection in the rectum may cause itching, bleeding or creamy white and yellow discharge
when having a bowel movement. Gonorrhea infection in the throat usually does not cause any symptoms, but occasionally may
cause a sore throat. Gonorrhea can also cause infection in the eyes, skin, joints, bloodstream and around the liver.
How is the infection spread?
Gonorrhea is easily spread from one person to another by having unprotected vaginal or anal sex with an infected partner. It can
also be spread by oral sex. It can be passed from mother to child during childbirth.
How is gonorrhea diagnosed?
Your health-care provider will diagnose gonorrhea based on your sexual history symptoms and the performance of special tests.
Several tests are available for gonorrhea; the most common one is done on a sample of urine. A swab from the cervix (in females)
or urethra (in males) may also be used. Depending on the site of infection, swabs from throat, rectum or eyes may also be needed.
If you are infected with gonorrhea, you may also be tested for other sexually transmitted infections.
How is gonorrhea treated?
Gonorrhea can be cured. It is treated with an antibiotic taken by mouth. The persons with whom you have sex within the last two
months must also be tested and treated, whether they have symptoms or not.
•
•
•
•
You and your partner(s) should not have unprotected sex for seven (7) days after starting the treatment.
Take all the pills exactly as instructed.
If you are treated for gonorrhea, you may also be treated for chlamydia.
Having a gonorrhea infection once does not prevent you from getting infected again.
12/2010 CNB 7757
What happens if gonorrhea is left untreated?
In women, untreated gonorrhea can spread to reproductive organs and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID is a serious
infection of the uterus (womb), fallopian tubes, and ovaries, causing lower abdominal pain. It can lead to ectopic pregnancy
(where the egg implants itself outside the cavity of the womb) and infertility (the inability to have children).
In men, untreated gonorrhea can cause swelling and pain in the testicles. It can also lead to reduced fertility (harder to have
children) or sterility (inability to have children).
In both men and women, untreated gonorrhea can cause joint, skin problems and widespread infection in bloodstream.
A pregnant woman could pass gonorrhea to her baby during childbirth, which could cause an eye infection. This may lead to
blindness if the baby is not well treated.
Who is at higher risk of getting gonorrhea?
You are at higher risk of getting gonorrhea if you:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
are younger than 25 and sexually active with many partners;
have unprotected sex (vaginal, oral or anal) with an infected partner;
have sex with a sex worker
have sex with a partner coming from a country where gonorrhea is frequent;
are a man having unprotected sex with men
have ever had gonorrhea or other STI;
are a street-involved youth.
How can gonorrhea be prevented?
If you are sexually active, you may lower the risk of getting gonorrhea by:
• limiting your number of sexual partners;
• knowing you sexual partner’s history;
• having protected sex – condoms and dental dams offer good protection against gonorrhea but they must be used properly.
Condoms should be used for vaginal and anal sex. A dental dam is a thin square of latex that should be used during oral
sex. Dental dams can be bought in some stores, or you can make your own using a condom or a latex glove; and,
• having regular STI check-ups.
The most effective way to prevent gonorrhea is by not having or delaying sex until you are in a relationship where you and your
partner are only sexually active with each other.
Remember:
• The more sexual partners you have, the higher your risk of getting an STI.
• The use of alcohol and drugs lowers the decision-making abilities needed to say no to sex or to practice safer sex.
What is the Public Health response?
If you are diagnosed with gonorrhea, your physician or nurse practitioner will treat you and give you information on STIs. A Public
Health nurse might contact you to make sure that your sexual partners have been tested and treated.
How can you get more information?
For more information, contact your regional Public Health office or health-care provider.
12/2010