Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is very common in the UK, and it is the second most common bacterial sexually transmit-ted infection, after chlamydia. Nearly 1 in 10 cases of predominantly infected men and half of women do not show any symptoms. This proves that many cases of Gonorrhoea go untreated until the latter stages of the infection. It is important for your health to get tested if you believe you are at risk even if do not experience any symptoms.

Symptoms of Gonorrhoea:

In case of men, the symptoms include:

• An abnormal penile discharge which is yellow, white or green in colour.
• Burning sensation or pain on urination.
• Inflammation or swelling of the foreskin.
• Testicular pain or tenderness.

In women, the symptoms may include:

• Unusual vaginal discharge which can be thin or watery and yellow or green in colour.
• Burning sensation or pain while passing urine.
• Bleeding between periods and after intercourse
• Lower abdominal pain or tenderness.
• Sudden heavy menstrual periods

Causes

Gonorrhoea is caused by the bacteria Neisseria Gonorrhoea, or Gonococcus. The bacteria grow in the cervix, fallopian tubes, and uterus and in the urethra of both men and women. Some possible modes of transmission are:

• Unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex with an infected person.
• Sharing sex toys.
• Passing on infection from an infected pregnant mother to her baby at the time of birth. (This may result in permanent blindness to the newborn baby.)

FAQs on gonorrhoea: