Gonorrhea - Definition, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Gonorrhea Definition

After adequate treatment, the prognosis in both males and females is excellent, although reinfection is common. Gonorrhea is especially prevalent among young people and in people with multiple sexual partners, particularly those between ages 19 and 25.

Gonorrhea Causes

Gonorrhea is one of the easier STIs to prevent because the bacterium that causes the infection can survive only under certain conditions. The use of condoms protects against gonorrhea infection. Gonorrhea survives only on moist surfaces within the body and is found most commonly in the vagina and, especially the cervix. The bacterium may also live in the urethra. Gonorrhea is one of the most common infectious bacterial diseases and is most frequently transmitted during sexual intercourse, including vaginal, oral and anal sex.

Gonorrhea may be caused by gonococcal bacteria that affects the mucous membrane chiefly of the genital and urinary tracts and is characterized by an acute purulent discharge and painful or difficult urination, though women often have no symptoms. There are almost 400,000 cases of gonorrhea a year reported to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control).

Gonorrhea Symptoms

Although many infected males are asymptomatic, after a 3- to 6-day incubation period. Gonorrhea is often silent in women. Over half of infected women have no symptoms in the early stages of gonorrheal infection. If symptoms do occur, there may be burning on urination, frequent urination, and yellowish vaginal discharge.

The other symptoms of the gonorrhea may be included:

• Fever
• Pelvic cramping
• Abdominal pain
• Incontinence
• Pain on urination
• Tender testicles
• Urethral discharge
• Pain with intercourse
• Redness of the genitals
• Swelling of the genitals
• Itching of the vaginal area
• Increased urinary frequency
• Red or swollen opening of penis

Gonorrhea Treatments

Instead of the standard penicillin treatment, gonorrhea may be now treated by a large number of new and very potent antibiotics.

A single dose of ceftriaxone and erythromycin for seven days is recommended for pregnant patients and those allergic to penicillin.

The treatment for gonorrhea may includes using one of the following:

• Cefixime , 400 mg by mouth, one time
• Cefuroxime Axotal, 1 gram by mouth, one time
• Enoxacin, 400 mg given by mouth, one time
• Ciprofloxacin - oral, 500 mg by mouth, one time
• Ofloxacin - oral, 400 mg by mouth, one time
• Cefpodoxime proxetil, 200 mg by mouth, one time
• Spectinomycin, 2 grams injected into a muscle , one time
• Ceftriaxone, 125 mg (milligrams) injected into a muscle , one time