WHAT IS
GONORRHEA?
Gonorrhea
is a curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria
called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. These bacteria can infect the
genital tract, mouth, and rectum of both men and women.
In women,
the opening to the uterus, the cervix, is the first place of infection.
The disease can spread into the uterus and fallopian tubes, resulting in
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID affects more than 1 million women
in this country every year and can cause tubal (ectopic) pregnancy and
infertility in as many as 10 percent of infected women.
In 2002,
351,852 cases of gonorrhea were reported to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC). In the United States, approximately 75
percent of all reported cases of gonorrhea are found in people aged 15 to
29 years. The highest rates of infection are usually found in 15- to
19-year old women and 20- to 24-year-old men.
WHAT ARE
THE SYMPTOMS OF GONORRHEA?
The
bacteria are carried in semen and vaginal fluids and cause a discharge.
Symptoms usually appear within 2 to 10 days after sexual contact with an
infected partner. For women, the early symptoms of gonorrhea often are
mild. A small number of people may be infected for several months without
showing symptoms.
When women
have symptoms, the first ones may include
- Bleeding
associated with vaginal intercourse
- Painful
or burning sensations when urinating
- Yellow
or bloody vaginal discharge
More
advanced symptoms, which may indicate development of PID, include cramps
and pain, bleeding between menstrual periods, vomiting, or fever.
Men have
symptoms more often than women, including
- White,
yellow, or green pus from the penis with pain
- Burning
sensations during urination that may be severe
- Swollen
testicles
Symptoms of
rectal infection include discharge, anal itching, and occasional painful
bowel movements with fresh blood in the feces. Symptoms typically appear 2
to 5 days after infection but could appear as long as 30 days.
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