What is it? A bacterial infection of the genitals, anus, or throat.
What are the symptoms? Most infected people have no symptoms. Symptoms may include a burning sensation while urinating, abnormal discharge from the vagina or penis. Women may also have abnormal vaginal bleeding or pelvic pain. Men may also have painful or swollen testicles.
How do you get it? Through vaginal, oral, or anal sex. It can also be passed on from mother to child during childbirth.
How do you treat it? Oral antibiotics can cure the infection. Both partners must be treated at the same time to prevent passing the infection back and forth. Both partners should abstain from sex until the infection is gone. Persons with gonorrhea should be tested for other STDs.
What are the consequences if left untreated? In women, gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which can lead to infertility and ectopic pregnancy. Men may develop epididymitis, a painful condition which can lead to infertility.
Get Yourself Tested Anyone who has had sex may be at risk for an STD, even when there are no symptoms.
Can it be prevented? There is no vaccine for gonorrhea. Using condoms every time reduces the risk of contracting STDs.