Cause of Infection

Gonorrhoea is transmitted through

sexual contact with the penis,
vagina, mouth, or anus of an
infected partner. Ejaculation does
not have to occur for gonorrhoea to
be
transmitted
or
acquired.
Gonorrhoea can also be spread
perinatally from mother to baby
during childbirth. People who have
had
gonorrhoea
and
received
treatment may be reinfected if they
have sexual contact with a person
infected with gonorrhoea.

Percentage of People
affected in Australia
Gonorrhoea is a very common
infectious disease. In Australia, the
population rate of diagnosis of
gonorrhoea increased from 1998 to
2006 for both males and females,
however from 2006 to 2007 the
population rate of diagnosis of
gonorrhoea declined by 15% among
males and by 6% among females.

How is it treated?
Cured?
Gonorrhoea can be cured with the
right
treatment.
CDC
now
recommends dual therapy (i.e.
using two drugs) for the treatment
of gonorrhoea. It is important to
take all of the medication prescribed
to cure gonorrhoea. Medication for
gonorrhea should not be shared
with anyone. Although medication
will stop the infection, it will not
repair any permanent damage done
by the disease. If a persons
symptoms continue for more than a
few days after receiving treatment,
he or she should return to a health
care provider to be reevaluated.

Sources that are useful for

teenagers wanting to
personally access
information are:
http://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/st
dfact-gonorrhea.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/st
dfact-gonorrhea-detailed.htm
norrhea#Testing3

STI:
Definition:
Gonorrhoea
is
a
sexually
transmitted disease that is a
venereal disease which involves
the inflammatory discharge from
the
urethra
or
vagina.
Gonorrhoea
is
a
sexually
transmitted illness (STI) that can
infect both men and women. It
can cause infections in the
genitals, rectum, and throat. It is
a
very
common
infection,
especially among young people
ages 15-24 years.

What can happen if it is

not treated?
Untreated gonorrhoea can cause
serious
and
permanent
health
problems in both women and men.
In women, untreated gonorrhoea can
cause pelvic inflammatory disease
(PID). Some of the complications of
PID are:
-formation of scar tissue that blocks
fallopian tubes
-ectopic
pregnancy
(pregnancy
outside the womb);
-infertility (inability to get pregnant);
-long-term pelvic/abdominal pain.
In men, gonorrhoea can cause a
painful condition in the tubes
attached to the testicles. In rare
cases, this may cause a man to be
sterile, or prevent him from being
able to father a child. Rarely,
untreated gonorrhea can also spread
to your blood or joints. This condition
can be life-threatening. Untreated
gonorrhea may also increase your
chances of getting or giving HIV the
virus that causes AIDs.

Signs & Symptoms

Men may not develop noticeable
symptoms for several weeks. Some
men may never develop symptoms.
The first noticeable symptom in men
is often a burning or painful sensation
during urination. Other symptoms
may include:
-greater frequency
urination

or

urgency

of

-a pus-like discharge (or drip) from the

penis (white, yellow, beige, or
greenish)
-swelling or redness at the opening of
the penis
-swelling or pain in the testicles
-a persistent sore throat
Many women dont develop any
outstanding symptoms of gonorrhoea.
When women do develop symptoms,
they tend to be mild or similar to
other infections, making them more
difficult
to
identify.
Gonorrhoea
infections can appear much like
common vaginal yeast or bacterial
infections. Symptoms include:
-discharge from the vagina
-pain or
urinating

burning

sensation

while

-the need to urinate more frequently

-sore throat and fever

Do you have an infection

and not know it?
Any sexually active person can get
gonorrhoea
through
unprotected
vaginal, anal, or oral sex. If you are
sexually active, have an honest and
open talk with your health care
provider and ask whether you should
be tested for gonorrhoea or other STIs.
If you are a sexually active man who is
gay, bisexual, or who has sex with
men, you should be tested for
gonorrhoea every year. If you are a
sexually active women younger than
25 years or an older women with risk
factors such as new or multiple sex
partners, or a sex partner who has a
sexually transmitted infection, you
should be tested for gonorrhoea every
year.