Gonorrhea, unfortunately, is one of the most spread sexually transmitted diseases, entering in the same group of frequent occurrence with Chlamydia. It is also called Gonnococcal infection and, just like Chlamydia, it is caused by a bacteria. Anyone can contact Gonorrhea symptoms if that person come in touch with the bodily fluids of an infected person, during unprotected sex. It can also be transmitted to a newborn through the infected mother.
If Gonorrhea is not treated, it can make a significant amount of damages to our body. The bacteria causing this condition are rather violent and will cause infection of epididymitis, which a structure found in the back of the male testicles, where sperm is stored. It can also trigger inflammatory disease in the pelvis, or in any other part of the body. It can affect joints and even the way heart valves function. So do not disregard the risks you are exposed while having clandestine sexual adventures.
Signs and symptoms of Gonorrhea:
Gonorrhea symptoms are dangerous because they may not appear at all. So there might be a problem with arriving at the doctor’s office in time and before it does any serious damage to your body. Usually, the first signs of Gonorrhea should occur between the 2nd and 10th day of the infection. But there are cases when it can last up to 30 days for a symptom to show up. So this one is also a silent illness, causing damages before we know that we need to see a doctor.
In women, symptoms may be various, in case they occur. You may experience abnormal discharge from the vagina, or yellowish or whitish color, pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic area, and a burning sensation when urinating. Other symptoms may be bleeding in the genital area, even though you are not on period. You can also develop spots on the body, after the sexual contact with an infected person, or your vulva may swell. The bacteria can also cause conjunctivitis, which lead to red eyes with an itching sensation.
Men will also experience the yellowish or whitish discharge, coming from their penises. The burning sensation when urinating is present in men also, and testicles may start to become painful and sensitive, or they can start swelling. In the case of men, in general, symptoms will begin appearing in two weeks after the unprotected sexual intercourse.
Throat Gonorrhea:
Gonorrhea can also be contacted through oral sex, with a person infected with the bacteria. Since this type of sexual activity is never a protected one, you are more exposed to contacting the bacteria. Statistics show that in the case of throat Gonorrhea, the partners that usually transmit the bacteria are men.
Gonorrhea discharge:
The discharge caused by Gonorrhea will always appear in the genital area. It is not painful, but it will have an abnormal consistency, color, and unpleasant smell. It is a sign that something is not right in the body and that something wrecked the balance in your system. The discharge may be viscous, almost looking like pus, and having white, yellow, or greenish coloration. It is the symptom that should let you know you may be suffering from a sexually transmitted disease.
Oral Gonorrhea symptoms:
Symptoms include a burning sensation in the throat, like when having a severe flu. Or the throat glands can swell, due to the action of these bacteria. What is more serious about Gonorrhea acquired through oral sex is that in a proportion of 90% of the cases, the infection will not produce any symptoms at all. And the rest of the 10% of the cases will only get a sore throat. So what might seem like an innocent play, may actually get you into real trouble. In case a person is allergic to the bacteria, then he or she may also experience an allergic reaction.
Is Gonorrhea curable?
Yes, Gonorrhea is completely curable, with the condition to get tested and follow the treatment indicated by the doctor completely. The sooner you get yourself tested, especially if you know you have unprotected sex with a person you don’t know, the more efficient the treatment will be, in case you test positive. Only disregarding the treatment, symptoms or delaying a medical checkup can make the fight with the bacteria more difficult and will expose your body to the consequences mentioned in the beginning.
Gonorrhea testing:
Testing for Gonorrhea is a very simple and unpainful procedure. The nurse or doctor will take swabs from your fluids in the urethra, in the case of men, and cervix, in the case of women. It takes only a few minutes, and it doesn’t hurt at all because a cotton bud is used. In case you had other types of sexual intercourse than the regular one, then swabs from your throat, or anus, may be taken as well, to see if the bacteria is or not located in those areas. For some tests, a urine sample will suffice, to determine the presence of Gonorrhea in the body. But the bodily fluid swabs are more accurate since they are the ones transmitting the bacteria. Results will arrive in a few days.
Treatment for Gonorrhea:
Gonorrhea is treated with the help of antibiotics, oral or injectable. A series of antibiotics are used in the case of this bacterial infection, so seek the advice of a doctor, and do not try to cure yourself by taking any antibiotics. Make sure you take all the antibiotics prescribed by the physician and do not skip the treatment, even if you start to feel better. You need to make sure that every trace of the symptoms of Gonorrhea is eliminated out of your body, or Gonorrhea may come back. Also, it is advisable to let your partners know, the ones you had sexual intercourse the last times, that you are infected so that they can also seek medical help. It is important to do so since symptoms rarely occur and the persons you had sex with may not be aware of this fact unless someone tells them.
So you see, for a couple of minutes sacrificed from your life, you can find out if you are safe or not, especially if you are aware of your sexual adventures with people you just met. And getting tested for Gonorrhea has multiple advantaged, because Chlamydia is tested in the same manner so that you will get checked for both of these sexually transmitted diseases. They are both silent, with no symptoms in the majority of the cases, and have severe consequences both. With a single visit to the doctor’s office, you can find out if you are okay and benefit the treatment you need. And in the future, stay protected, or stick to a monogamous relationship with a trustworthy person, who is not infected.