How is gonorrhea transmitted?
Gonorrhea is spread through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected person. It can infect any mucous membrane it comes into contact with — meaning throat infections from oral sex are common and often have no symptoms. It is not transmitted through toilet seats, sharing utensils, or casual contact.
What are the symptoms of gonorrhea?
In men, symptoms typically include a thick yellow or green discharge from the penis, a burning sensation when urinating, and inflammation of the foreskin. In women, symptoms may include an unusual vaginal discharge, burning when urinating, and lower abdominal pain — though many women have no symptoms. Rectal infection can cause discharge, pain, or bleeding. Throat infection almost never causes symptoms.
Testing for gonorrhea
Testing is performed using nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) on swabs from the urethra, cervix, rectum, or throat, or on a urine sample. It is important to test all sites that have been at risk, not just the genitals. If you have had oral sex, a throat swab is recommended. Results are typically available within a few days.
Treatment and antibiotic resistance
Gonorrhea is treated with a single intramuscular injection of ceftriaxone. Oral antibiotics alone are no longer recommended due to rising resistance. A test-of-cure appointment 2 weeks after treatment is standard practice. If you are diagnosed, recent partners should be informed and tested. Avoid all sexual contact until treatment is confirmed successful.
Complications of untreated gonorrhea
If left untreated, gonorrhea can spread beyond the genital tract. In women, this can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), leading to chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, or infertility. In men, it can cause epididymitis. In rare cases, the infection can spread via the bloodstream, causing septic arthritis, skin lesions, and — in severe cases — life-threatening complications.