Gonorrhoea What is it ?

What Is Gonorrhoea ?

Bacteria known as Neisseria gonorrhoeae or gonococcus cause gonorrhoea.(1) It usually affects the genital area but it can also infect the throat or anus. It is easily transmitted during vaginal intercourse but it can also be transmitted during anal or oral sex. (2)

Gonorrhoea is sometimes found in the rectum of women who have not had anal intercourse. This is because it can spread from the vagina. It can also be passed from a woman to her baby during birth. (3)

The outer cell membrane of neisseria gonorrhoeae is covered with large protein and sugar molecules and it is these components which help the bacteria to attach to and infect the infected persons cells. (4)

Gonorrhoea Body

Gonorrhoea (Gonorrhea) can also affect the eyes. Gonococcal conjunctivitis is an infection of the thin, transparent conjunctiva (skin) covering the eye and inner eyelids. It occurs mostly in infants infected during vaginal birth, but adult infection can occur can occur via the fingers of either the individual or her or his partner. Gonococcal infection of the eye is an ophthalmic emergency and needs urgent medical attention.(5)

SOURCE 1

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection STI) caused by a bacteria called neisseria gonorrheoae or gonococcus. It used to be known as 'the clap'. The bacteria is found mainly in the semen of infected men and vaginal fluids of infected women, so is easily passed between people through sexual contact.

Gonorrhoea is most commonly spread through:

• Unprotected sex including oral and anal sex.
• Sharing vibrators or other sex aids that have not been washed or covered with a new condom.
  

Gonorrhoea is the second most common STI in the UK with over 19,000 cases reported in 2006. Young men aged 20-24 and women aged 16-19 are most affected.
Source2

How to Treating gonorrhoea



Gonorrhoea Bactery

It is important to receive treatment for gonorrhoea as quickly as possible, as the disease can cause complications and serious health problems such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) if it is left untreated.

Gonorrhoea is treated with a single dose of antibiotics, usually ceftriaxone, cefiximine or spectinomycin. The antibiotics are either given orally (a pill) or through an injection.

Recently, it has become apparent that some strains of gonorrhoea are becoming resistant to some antibiotics - particularly antibiotics that have been used heavily in the past like penicillin - so these tend not to be used. However, your GP or clinic may still recommend them if your tests show that your infection is particularly sensitive to them.

You will need to make an appointment with your GP or GUM clinic for around 72 hours after your initial treatment to check that the antibiotics have been effective. You should avoid sexual intercourse and intimate contact with other partners until it is confirmed that the antibiotics have worked.

If the antibiotics have been effective, you should notice an improvement in your symptoms quite quickly:

• pain and discharge when you urinate should improve within 2-3 days,
• pain and discharge in your anus should improve within 2-3 days,
• bleeding between periods, or extra heavy periods, should improve by the time of your next period, and
• pain in your pelvis or your testicles should start to improve quickly but could take up to two weeks to go away.

Babies who display signs of a gonorrhoeal infection at birth (such as inflammation of the eyes) or who are at increased risk of infection (the mother has been diagnosed with gonorrhoea), will usually be given antibiotics immediately after birth to prevent blindness and other complications.

Telling your partner

If you do have gonorrhoea, it is important that your current sexual partner, or any sexual partner you have had over the last three months, is tested and treated.

Some people can feel angry, upset or embarrassed about discussing gonorrhoea with their current or former partner(s). You should not feel afraid about discussing your concerns with the clinic staff or your GP, as they can advise you about who should be contacted and the best way to contact them.

Your clinic can arrange - with your permission - for a 'contact slip' to be given to your partner(s). This slip explains to that person that they may have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection and they should go for a check-up. The slip does not have your name on it, and your details will remain totally confidential.

Nobody can force you to tell any of your partners about your gonorrhoea, but it is strongly recommended. Left untested and untreated, gonorrhoea can lead to serious and life-long illnesses.

SOURCE 3