Gonorrhea
What Is Gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It’s caused by infection with the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is a venereal disease involving inflammatory discharge from the urethra or vagina. It tends to infect warm, moist areas of the body.
The areas in which gonorrhea can grow in the body include:
What Is Gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It’s caused by infection with the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is a venereal disease involving inflammatory discharge from the urethra or vagina. It tends to infect warm, moist areas of the body.
The areas in which gonorrhea can grow in the body include:
- Anus
- Eyes
- Female reproductive tract (the fallopian tubes, cervix, and uterus)
- Throat
- Urethra (the tube that drains urine from the urinary bladder)
- Vagina
- Gonorrhea passes from person to person through:
- Unprotected oral sex
- Unprotected Anal sex
- Unprotected Vaginal sex
NOTE:
- In men, symptoms usually appear two to 14 days after infection.
- While in women it can take up to 30 days to develop any symptom
- Gonorrhea is not transmitted from toilet seats.
- Men do not need to ejaculate to transmit or acquire gonorrhea.
- Gonorrhea can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby during delivery.
- Everybody is at risk but the highest rates of infection occur in teenagers and young adults.
Causes of Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is caused bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae that not only affects the reproductive tract but can also affect the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat, eyes and rectum.
The infection is transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person.
Gonorrhea can be passed from an infected mother to her baby during delivery.
Symptoms/Signs of Gonorrhea in Men
- Greenish yellow or whitish discharge from the penis
- Burning when urinating
- Burning in the throat (due to oral sex)
- Painful or swollen testicles
- Swollen glands in the throat (due to oral sex)
Men may not develop noticeable symptoms for several weeks. Some men may never develop symptoms.
Symptoms/Signs of Gonorrhea in Women
Gonorrhea infections can appear much like common vaginal yeast or bacterial infections,
In some women, symptoms are so mild that they go unnoticed
- Greenish yellow or whitish discharge from the vagina
- Lower abdominal or pelvic pain
- Burning when urinating
- Conjunctivitis(red, itchy eyes)
- Bleeding between periods
- Spotting after intercourse
- Swelling of the vulva (vulvitis)
- Burning in the throat (due to oral sex)
- Swollen glands in the throat (due to oral sex)
- Painful sexual intercourse
How to diagnose Gonorrhea
Testing for gonorrhea is done by swabbing the infected site (rectum, throat, cervix) and identifying the bacteria in the laboratory either through culturing of the material from the swab (growing the bacteria) or identification of the genetic material from the bacteria.
How to Prevent Gonorrhea
- Ask your partner to be tested for sexually transmitted infections.
- Consider regular gonorrhea screening if you have an increased risk.
- Don't have sex with someone who has any unusual symptoms.
- Use a condom if you choose to have sex.
Treatment for Gonorrhea
In most cases, treatment involves having a single antibiotic injection (usually in the buttocks or thigh) followed by one antibiotic tablet. It's sometimes possible to have another antibiotic tablet instead of an injection, if you prefer. Adults with gonorrhea are treated with antibiotics. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that uncomplicated gonorrhea be treated only with the antibiotic ceftriaxone (Rocephin) — given as an injection — in combination with either azithromycin (Zithromax, Zmax) or doxycycline (Monodox, Oracea,Vibramycin) — two antibiotics that are taken orally.
Gonorrhea treatment for babies
Babies born to mothers with gonorrhea receive a medication in their eyes soon after birth to prevent infection. If an eye infection develops, babies can be treated with antibiotics.
Gonorrhea Home Remedies/Natural Therapy
- Aloe Vera: Aloe vera is used for many different purposes, and there are many different species of this beneficial herb. One particular species, Barbadensis milla MUST BUE USED. Since gonorrhea has become resistant to many drugs, herbal remedies like aloe vera are often prescribed as complementary or alternative options, and aloe vera has shown remarkable success in removing bacterial infections and lowering inflammation.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: it can be used to directly treat gonorrhea. This substance can quickly eliminate the bacterial infection and prevent it from spreading. It can also help with reducing inflammation and pain.
- Garlic: Garlic is a very good home remedy for gonorrhea. You can significantly boost the strength of your immune system and treat gonorrhea effectively by either consuming garlic normally or treating yourself with garlic extract, or even garlic in supplemental form!
- Vitamin C: You’ve likely heard that vitamin C is one of the best ways to improve the health of the immune system, and when it comes to gonorrhea, anything that can improve your resistance to bacterial infections is a good thing.
Complications of Gonorrhea in women
Gonorrhea can spread to the reproductive organs and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
This can lead to
- Long-term pelvic pain
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Infertility
- Miscarriage
- Premature labour
- The baby being born with conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eye)
- Infertility in men
- Low sperm count
- Azoospermia
- Infection that spreads to the joints and other areas of your body
- Increased risk of HIV/AIDS
