Gonorrhoea- Defeating the Disease

Gonorrhoea also known as the clap or drip was very common

among recruits of the World War 1 and during the late 70s.
During this period, more than a million cases of the disease were
recorded annually and today the disease is still very
common.Gonorrhoea is very infectious and the risk of acquiring
the disease increases with the number of partners with whom an
individual has unprotected sexual intercourse, and with the
number of sexual partners of those partners. The use of alcohol
and other drugs that release inhibitors adds to the risk. This
disease could also be passed down from a mother to her newborn
during childbirth.

What causes gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoea a Gram negative
diplococcic, which can grow and multiply in the mucous
membranes of the body. They can be found especially in the
mouth, throat, and anus of both men and women, and the cervix,
fallopian tubes, urethra, and uterus (womb) of the female
reproductive tract. The presence of gonorrhoea can be detected
using Gram stain tests, which will turn red for Gram negative
bacteria.

How can I identify gonorrhea?

The time it takes for the symptoms of gonorrhoea to manifest
following infection is usually 2 to 5 days in men but the disease
may stay for more than 30 days in women without manifesting its
symptoms. Often times, both men and women may experience no
noticeable symptoms of gonorrhea after being infected. In this
case, they are termed carriers and could unknowingly pass it on
to their unsuspecting partners.

Symptoms in men
In men, gonorrhoea is characterised by feeling of pain, burning, or
discomfort upon urination, a thick greenish yellow or whitish pus-
containing discharge from the penis, testicular or scrotal pain may
also occur especially if epididymitis has complicated the urethral
infection. When the disease is contracted through oral sex,
burning or swollen throat glands may occur.

Symptoms in women
As earlier explained, the symptoms in women are non-specific
and may take days to manifest. Some of the symptoms include,
greenish yellow or whitish vaginal discharge, bleeding between
periods, swelling of the vulva, burning or general discomfort
during urination and conjunctivitis. Because of the mildness of the
symptoms, gonorrhea is usually difficult to detect early.

How is gonorrhea transmitted?

Gonorrhea is mainly transmitted through unprotected sexual
intercourse which could be oral, vaginal or anal. The reason for
this is because the bacteria that causes the disease, Neisseria
gonorrhea, primarily lives in the genital tract. The bacteria can
also be passed from a mother to her child during the
latters journey through the infected birth canal.
According to a research by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), gay and bisexual men are at higher risk of
contracting the disease.

Are there complications?

Yes, complications may result if a man, for whatever reason, does
not treat himself. Complications like urinary tract infections,
sterility, prostate abscesses and inflammation of the testes are
quite likely.
In women, untreated gonorrhea could move from the vagina and
cervix up to the fallopian tubes, uterus, and ovaries and
cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). Other complications in
women include:

Damage to the liver and abdominal organs

Ectopic pregnancy
Disseminated gonococcal infections
Destruction of the heart valves
Infertility
Neonatal conjunctivitis contamination of the eyes of the
newborn by Neisseria gonorrhea which may lead to permanent
blindness
Increased risk of contracting HIV
It can be life threatening if it spreads to the blood and joints
Premature delivery or spontaneous abortion among pregnant

women

How can I prevent gonorrhea?

To reduce your chances of contracting gonorrhea, maintain a
healthy sexual lifestyle.
Stay away from sex but if you find this difficult, ensure that you
use condom properly every time you have sex.
Resist the urge to have multiple sex partners.
 Promptly see a doctor for proper diagnosis and possible
treatment when you suspect possible infection.

Is gonorrhea treatable?
Gonorrhea is treatable. The initial stage of gonorrhea can be
treated with only a single class of antibiotics, the cephalosposins.
Penicillin, tetracyclines, sulfonamides and fluoroquinolones were
formerly recommended but resistance has risen progressively
over the past decades.

When you present your case before a doctor, he may need to do a

culture of your infection to ascertain what antibiotics it is not
resistant to before placing you on medication, and when he
prescribes drugs for you ensure that you follow his instruction to
the latter, even when you feel better.
To prevent re-infection and further spread of the disease, it is
advisable that your partner gets treated at the same time.