Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is most commonly transmitted during condomless sex. The infection can affect the genitals, rectum, mouth, throat and eyes. Gonorrhea infections can be cured with antibiotics, and there are ways to reduce the risk of getting or passing on these infections, for example, by using a new condom correctly every time you have sex.
About our words – CATIE is committed to using relevant language that speaks to everyone. People use different terms to describe their body. In this text, we use medical terms like vagina and penis to describe the genitals.
Some people use other terms, such as private parts, tail, or frontal hole. CATIE recognizes and respects that people use the words they are most comfortable with.
What is gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It most often affects the genitals, rectum, throat and eyes. A person with gonorrhea can pass this infection on to another person during sex.
Many people with gonorrhea have no symptoms, so they don’t know they have the infection. When the infection is symptomatic, symptoms usually take two to seven days to appear. Common symptoms vary depending on the site of infection.
Here are a few :
- Gonorrhea of the genitals may cause unusual fluid to secrete (or leak) from the vagina or penis, as well as pain during urination (urinating), vaginal bleeding, spotting between periods, vaginal intercourse pain, swelling or pain in the testicles, or pain in the abdomen.
- rectal gonorrhea or anal may cause anal itching, discharge from the anus, pain during bowel movement, or the feeling of having to have a bowel movement.
- Gonorrhea of the throat or mouth can cause sore throat.
- Gonorrhea of the eye can cause an eye infection (conjunctivitis) which causes itchy and swollen eyelids, a bloodshot eye (eye redness), and whitish, yellowish, or greenish discharge that may crust over the eye.
If left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to infertility, abdominal pain, or complications during pregnancy.
Untreated eye gonorrhea can affect vision.
Am I at risk of contracting gonorrhea?
Anyone who is sexually active, including victims of sexual violence, can get gonorrhea.
Gonorrhea is most commonly transmitted during condomless sex, including penetrative anal and vaginal sex.
Although less common, gonorrhea can also be transmitted:
- when a person with this mouth or throat infection has oral sex with another person;
- when a person has oral sex with another person who has gonorrhea in the genitals;
- by oral-anal contact (rimming or rimming);
- by sharing sex toys or when a person masturbates or passes a finger to another if fluids containing gonorrhea are thus transferred to the toy or hand.
Gonorrhea can be passed from a pregnant person to their child during childbirth.
Gonorrhea and HIV
Gonorrhea can cause an increase in the amount of HIV in the genital and rectal secretions of HIV-positive people, which can increase the risk of sexual transmission of HIV. However, evidence shows that people living with HIV and on effective treatment do not transmit HIV sexually, even if they or their partners have an STI, including gonorrhea.
What to do?
Reduce your risk of getting gonorrhea
- Use a condom during penetrative anal and vaginal intercourse.
- Use a condom or dental dam during oral sex.
- If you must share a sex toy, wash it and cover it with a new condom between each use.
There is no approved vaccine that protects against gonorrhea.
PrEP for HIV does not prevent the transmission of gonorrhea.
Take screening tests
The only way to know for sure if you have contracted gonorrhea is to get tested.
You should get tested if you have symptoms of gonorrhea or if your current or recent sexual partner has been diagnosed with gonorrhea.
Consider getting tested if you:
- have oral, anal or vaginal sex without a condom;
- have had multiple sexual partners in the last 12 months;
- have had sex with someone from an area where gonorrhea is common or if you or that person have visited such an area;
- have or have had another STI;
- are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
A healthcare professional can give you the test. This involves taking a swab of the genitals, rectum or throat or taking a urine sample. Tell the healthcare professional what types of sex you have so that he or she can test the relevant body parts.
It would be a good idea to get tested for other STIs, including HIV, when you get tested for gonorrhea. Many STIs can be transmitted in the same way as gonorrhea. Ask the healthcare professional caring for you how often you should be tested for gonorrhea and other STIs.
If you are diagnosed with gonorrhea, a healthcare professional or public health worker will discuss notification with you to tell your sexual partners that they or they may have been exposed to gonorrhea and the importance of encouraging them to get tested. If you do not feel comfortable or are unable to tell your sexual partners, a medical professional or public health official will contact them without revealing your identity.
Get treated
Gonorrhea can be cured with a two-drug treatment, which involves combining two different antibiotics. One is taken orally (as a tablet) in a single dose; the other is given by injection, also in a single dose. However, treatment guidelines vary by region. Once you have been treated, another test may be done to check that you no longer have gonorrhea. You must wait 7 days after the end of treatment before starting to have sex again.
Once cured of gonorrhea, you cannot pass this infection on to anyone else. However, you can contract it again later, and pass it on.
Credits
This fact sheet was created in partnership with the Sex Information and Education Council of Canada (CIÉSCAN).
Resource
gonorrhea – Information sheet of CATIE
