Student Wellness Center at OSU : Sexual Wellness : STIs : Gonorrhea

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Sexual Wellness

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Gonorrhea

Estimated number of new cases each year in the U.S.:

700,000

Statistics:

Approximately 75% of all reported cases of this STD are found in young people, ages 15-29.

Caused by:

The bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Symptoms:

The majority of men have some symptoms, including a burning sensation when urinating and a yellowish white discharge from the penis. Many women who are infected have no symptoms, or the symptoms are mild or mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. Women who do experience symptoms may have a painful or burning sensation when urinating and a vaginal discharge that is yellow or occasionally bloody.

Transmission:

Gonorrhea can be transmitted during vaginal, anal, or oral sex and can also be passed from an infected mother to her newborn during vaginal childbirth. Gonorrhea infection can spread to other unlikely parts of the body. For example, a person can get an eye infection after touching infected genitals and then the eyes.

Treatment:

Easily treated and cured with antibiotics

If Untreated:

In both women and men, untreated gonorrhea can lead to more serious infection and cause permanent problems, including damage to reproductive organs and infertility. If the infection spreads to blood or joints, it can be life-threatening.

Risk Reduction:

Use latex barriers correctly every time you have sex.
Limit the number of sex partners, and do not go back and forth between partners.
Practice sexual abstinence, or limit sexual contact to one partner you know is not infected.
Get tested!
If you think you are infected, avoid sexual contact and see a health care provider.

Source for information on this page: CDC Division of STD Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/dstd/dstdp.html