| Gonorrhea is one
of the most common sexually transmitted disease, it is passed from partner
to partner during sexual intercourse, oral, and anal sex as well. Or by
any contact with body fluids containing the organism. Not surprisingly,
gonorrhea is most common among those who have multiple sex partners. The
incubation period for this disease differs between men and women. In men,
symptoms arise between 2 - 14 days after infection. In women, it takes a
little longer, from 7 to 21 days. Men usually develop a thick yellowish discharge from the penis and experience pain and problems urinating. Although some women have a cloudy vaginal discharge and feel a hot, burning sensation on urination, more than 50% of infected women have no symptoms at all in the early stages. As the disease progresses, an infected woman may go on to experience abnormal menstrual bleeding, rectal itching, and acute inflammation in the pelvic area. At this stage, a woman is usually diagnosed as suffering from pelvic inflammatory disease, or ND, caused by the gonococcal bacteria. Gonorrhea that is not properly treated can spread to other parts of the body. In men, it can cause an inflamed prostate or inflammation of the testes, and may affect fertility. A woman who develops PID can suffer damage to the ovaries and/or fallopian tubes, resulting in infertility The bacteria can also cause gonococcal arthritis, which results in pain and swelling of the joints around the body. This condition may be misdiagnosed as simple arthritis Note: Gonorrhea used to be treated by penicillin, however there are now strains that are resistant. Gonorrhea contracted through oral sex can cause gonococcal pharyngitis, or inflammation of the throat. This can result in a very sore throat, although many infected people have no symptoms. If the infection affects the eyes, it is called gonococcal conjunctivitis, and it can lead to scarring and even blindness. Anal sex with an infected partner can cause gonococcal proctitis, resulting in inflammation of the rectum and anus. This form of the disease causes symptoms, such as pain and discharge from the anus, in only about 10% of those infected. A woman who is infected-whether she knows it or not-can transmit the disease to her baby during childbirth. During passage through the birth canal, an infant may contract gonococcal ophthalmia, a severe inflammation that can affect one or both eyes. Neisseria gonorrhoeae organisms in the bloodstream can cause blood poisoning, with symptoms that include fever and exhaustion. If the bacteria reaches the brain or heart, then the infection can become life threatening. Because many disorders cause a vaginal or penile discharge, a definitive diagnosis of gonorrhea must be made by laboratory testing. If a laboratory culture confirms the diagnosis, prompt, effective treatment is important. |
|
||||||||||||||
|
|