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Gonorrhoea
What is Gonorrhoea?
It is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacteria Neisseria Gonorrhoea.
How does one get Gonorrhoea?

Sexual intercourse with an infected person (vaginal, anal or oral sex)

Mother to child (during normal child birth)

Casual social contact and toilet seats are not recognized modes of transmission
Incubation Period
Symptoms appear 2 to 7 days after infection
What are the symptoms and signs?
As with other sexually transmitted infections, there may be different presentations. An infected
person may have no complains or present with the following symptoms:
Males
 Urethral discharge: White or
yellow (urethra = urinary canal)
Females
 Vaginal discharge: Yellowish or
Greenish (vaginal = birth canal)
 Burning pain or irritation when
urination (dysuria)
 Dysuria
 Throat: May not cause any
symptoms, or may cause a
sore
throat
and
rectal
discharge
 Throat: May not cause any
symptoms, or may cause a sore
throat and rectal discharge
Babies
 Conjunctivitis (infection
the eyes) may lead
blindness
of
to
What are the long term complications?
Males
 Spread of infection to the testis, seminal vesicles
and prostate may lead to acute or chronic
infection of these organs.
 Generalized spread of infection may involve the
skin, joints and heart.
Females
 Infertility
 Ectopic Pregnancy
 Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
 Generalized spread of infection may involve the
skin, joints and heart.
How is Gonorrhoea diagnosed?

Smear test and culture from secretions of the infected parts (urethra, throat, rectum and
cervix)

Urine PCR for Gonorrhoea

Blood tests do not help in diagnosis
What is resistant Gonorrhoea?

It is an infection caused by strains of bacteria which are able to resist conventional doses
of antibiotics

Some strains produce an enzyme called penicillinase that is capable of completely
neutralizing penicillin
Can Gonorrhoea be cured?
Yes, if it is detected and treated in the early stages with appropriate antibiotics.
What should I do?

Seek treatment immediately from your doctor who will administer the appropriate
antibiotics

Refrain from sexual intercourse until your doctor has confirmed that you are cured

Do not self medicate as this will suppress the signs of infection and lead to complications
due to incomplete treatment

Inform your doctor of any allergy

Ensure that your sexual partner(s) come for a check-up so that he/she can be treated
early if found to be infected

Repeated infections can occur as there is no permanent immunity
Why is it important to return for my follow up appointments?

It is important to return for follow-up because symptoms that have resolved do not
necessarily indicate the infection has been cured

At DSC, patients will be given follow-up appointments as part of the management of the
infection

For Gonorrhoea infection, patients are to attend after 14 days from the treatment date for
test of cure and assessment for post-Gonococcal Urethritis. A urethral smear and culture
tests will be performed

Male patients will have to hold urine for 4 hours before the test can be performed

Male patients with throat and rectal Gonorrhoea and female patients do not have to hold
urine

Patients will also be given a 3rd month appointment for blood test to screen for syphilis

DSC will contact patients who have missed their appointments, either by phone or letter
as a gentle reminder

Please inform the clinic if there is any change of phone number or address
What is safer sex?

This is sex without exchange of body fluids, e.g. vaginal secretions or semen

Use condoms correctly and every time you have sex

Do not consume alcohol before or during sex, this may impair your judgment