Gonorrhea is a bacteria that is on the rise in our area – so beware. You or your partner may be infected and have absolutely no symptoms.
How would I get it?
- Spread through unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex with an infected partner, mutual masturbation and sharing of sex toys
- Causes infections in the penis and vagina and occasionally the throat and rectum
- Mom can pass on to baby during birth
What kind of symptoms could I have if I am infected?
You may have NO SYMPTOMS at all if you are infected. Other times you may have some or all of the symptoms listed below.
All sexes:
- Pain when peeing
- Pain, itching, bleeding, mucus discharge of the rectum (rectal infection)
- Throat infection
Vaginal symptoms:
- Vaginal bleeding after sex or between periods
- Vaginal discharge
- Pelvic or lower back pain
- Pain during sex
Penile symptoms:
- Itchy urethra
- Thick, yellowish-green discharge from the penis
- Testicular pain or swelling
How do I prevent this?
- Condoms and dental dams
How do I get tested?
- Urine and/or swabs of exposed sites
- Results usually take about a week to come back
What if I test positive?
- This infection is treatable and curable.
- We will provide you with proper antibiotic treatment (sorry this generally does include an injection!).
- If left untreated, Gonorrhea can cause serious health problems.
- You should know however that this is a “Publicly reportable disease” – meaning someone from Public Health may call you to ask you some questions.
- It is important you tell all partners from the last 60 days, or the last partner you had so they can be tested and treated also.
- If you are not comfortable notifying them, Public Health can help with that keeping you anonymous.
Need more info? Learn more here
