Fact Sheet for gonorrhea (caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae)
What is a gonorrhea infection?
		Gonorrhea is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI). The bacterium can grow and multiply easily in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, such as the cervix (opening to the womb), uterus (womb), and fallopian tubes (egg canals) in women, and in the urethra (urine canal) in women and men. It can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes, and anus.
How is gonorrhea spread?
		Gonorrhea bacteria are spread through sexual activity. Gonorrhea is spread through contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus. Ejaculation (cum) does not have to occur for gonorrhea to be transmitted or acquired. Gonorrhea can also be spread from mother to baby during delivery. Infection is more common in men and women who have had multiple sexual partners. People who have had gonorrhea and received treatment may get infected again if they have sexual contact with a person infected with gonorrhea.
How common is gonorrhea?
		Gonorrhea is a very common infectious disease. CDC estimates that more than 700,000 persons in the U.S. get new gonorrheal infections each year. Only about half of these infections are reported to CDC. In 2007, 365,524 cases of gonorrhea were reported to CDC. From 1975 to 1997, the national gonorrhea rate declined. After a small increase in 1998, the gonorrhea rate has decreased slightly since 1999. In 2004, the rate of reported gonorrheal infections was 113.5 per 100,000 persons.
What are the signs and symptoms of infection?
Women:
		In women, the symptoms of gonorrhea are often mild, but most women who are infected have no symptoms. Even if symptoms occur, they can be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. The first symptoms and signs in women include a painful or burning sensation when urinating, increased vaginal discharge, or vaginal bleeding between periods. Women with gonorrhea are at risk of developing serious complications from the infection, regardless of the presence or severity of symptoms.
Men:
		Although some men with gonorrhea may have no symptoms at all, most men have some signs or symptoms. Symptoms and signs include a burning sensation when urinating, or a white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis. Sometimes men with gonorrhea get painful or swollen testicles.
Note:
		Symptoms of rectal infection in both men and women may include discharge, anal itching, soreness, bleeding, or painful bowel movements, however not all rectal infections cause symptoms. Infections in the throat may cause a sore throat, but usually cause no symptoms.
How long after infection do symptoms occur?
		Many women have no symptoms; men may have symptoms more frequently. When symptoms do occur, they appear two to five days after infection. However, symptoms can take as long as 30 days to appear.
What should I do if I think I have gonorrhea?
		See your health care provider who can test you for infection or submit a sample using the kit.
How is infection diagnosed?
Women and men:
		Several laboratory tests are available to diagnose gonorrhea. A doctor or nurse can obtain a sample for testing from the parts of the body likely to be infected (cervix, urethra, rectum, or throat) and send the sample to a laboratory for analysis. Gonorrhea that is present in the cervix or urethra can be diagnosed in a laboratory by testing a urine sample. Vaginal samples also can be used with newer molecular tests. A quick laboratory test for gonorrhea that can be done in some clinics or doctors' offices is a Gram stain. A Gram stain of a sample from a urethra or a cervix allows the doctor to see the gonorrhea bacterium under a microscope. This test works better for men than for women. No diagnostic test is 100% accurate. Sometimes your health care provider may order additional testing to confirm the diagnosis.
If I have gonorrhea and am pregnant, can I spread infection to my baby?
		Yes. Babies born to infected mothers may contract infection during delivery. Infants may develop fever and should be treated if diagnosed. See your health care provider about treatment of gonorrhea during pregnancy.
Is infection treatable?
		Several antibiotics (drugs) can successfully cure gonorrhea in adolescents and adults. However, antibiotic-resistant strains occur in some areas of the world, including the United States. Because many people with gonorrhea also have chlamydia, another STD, antibiotics for both infections are usually given together. Persons with gonorrhea should also be tested for other STDs. It is important to take all of the medication as prescribed to cure gonorrhea. If a person's symptoms continue even after receiving treatment, he or she should return to a doctor to be tested again. Although medication will clear the infection, it will not repair any permanent damage, if any has occurred.
Can infection be prevented?
		Yes. Follow these guidelines: Abstain from sexual intercourse; or, Use a latex condom properly, every time you have sexual intercourse, with every partner. Limit your sexual partners. The more sex partners you have, the greater your risk of encountering someone who has this or other STDs. If you are infected, your sexual partner(s) should be treated. This will prevent you from getting reinfected. Any genital symptoms such as discharge, burning during urination, unusual sore, or rash should be a signal to stop having sex and to see a doctor immediately. If a person has been diagnosed and treated for gonorrhea, he or she should notify all recent sex partners so they can see a health care provider and be treated. This will reduce the risk that the sex partner(s) will develop serious complications from gonorrhea and will also reduce the person's risk of becoming reinfected. The person and all of his or her sex partner(s) must avoid sex until they have completed their treatment for gonorrhea.
Once I am infected, am I immune?
		No. You can get infected again.