Gonorrhea
By Emily Luo
Transmissions
The STD caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae is gonorrhea.
It is transmitted through:
- vaginal sex
- oral sex
- anal sex
- birth (passed from mother to baby)
Signs & Symptoms
Girls:
- burning sensation during urination
- yellow-green vaginal discharge
- vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods
Guys:
- burning sensation during urination
- yellowish-whitish discharge oozes from urethra (tip of the penis)
Treatments
Your doctor or gynecologist will do an exam, which includes:
- a urine sample
- swabbing the vagina or cervix for discharge to be analyzed
- test for other STDs
- they will also prescribe antibiotics
Gonorrhea Rates, United States, 1941-2009
Problems
- PID: If the infection becomes more widespread and moves into the uterus or fallopian tubes, it may cause PID (pelvic inflammatory disease). This will result in abdominal pain, fever, pain during sexual intercourse, and more.
- scarring and infertility
- meningitis and eye infection for babies: a mother with gonorrhea can cause problems for her baby, including meningitis and an eye infection that can result in blindness if not treated
Prevention
The best ways for prevention are:
- abstaining from all types of sexual intercourse
- using latex condoms