Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that is transmitted sexually. Many women and some men who have gonorrhea don't have any signs or symptoms. If not treated, gonorrhea can cause a painful penile, vaginal, or rectal discharge. It can sometimes lead to swollen and painful joints or lifelong (permanent) damage to your reproductive organs. And in some cases it can make a man or woman unable to have children (infertile). If a pregnant woman has gonorrhea, she can infect her baby during childbirth.
Gonorrhea is also called the clap or the drip.
Symptoms
In men:
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Pain or burning when urinating
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Watery, milky, or yellow discharge from the penis or anus
In women:
Treatment
Gonorrhea can be cured quickly with antibiotics. If you are being treated, your partner should also be checked by a healthcare provider. Don’t have sex while you are being treated and for a week after.
Prevention
As with all sexually transmitted infections (STIs), knowing your partner’s sexual history is important. It's a key step in preventing gonorrhea. Also know the signs and symptoms of the infection. And use latex condoms to reduce your risk.
Resources
American Sexual Health Association STD Hotline, 919-361-8488, www.ashasexualhealth.org
CDC, 800-232-4636, www.cdc.gov/std
Online Medical Reviewer:
Barry Zingman MD
Online Medical Reviewer:
Marianne Fraser MSN RN
Online Medical Reviewer:
Raymond Kent Turley BSN MSN RN
Date Last Reviewed:
6/1/2019
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