Is Gonorrhoea common
According to WHO(http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/rtis/en/), more than one million people around the world acquire STIs daily. There are several sexually transmitted infections (STDs) that affect both men and women. Gonorrhoea is one such example of STI.
What causes gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria. Patient(https://patient.info/health/gonorrhoea-leaflet), an online medical resource, elaborates that this bacteria attacks and lives in the mucous membranes in our bodies. These are the moist soft tissues that are not covered by the outer layer of dead skin cells. When infected, the gonorrhoea causing bacteria is thus found in the uterus, cervix, vagina, fallopian tubes, rectum, and urethra. It is also found in the lining of the eyelids, the mouth and the throat.
How gonorrhoea is transmitted
Gonorrhoea is transmitted through sex, be it anal, oral or vaginal sex with an infected person. The transmission is spread through sexual fluids like semen and vaginal fluids and it is prudent to note that it is not necessarily dependant on ejaculation. Other than the genitals, anus and urethra, Gonorrhoea can infect the eyes, mouth and the throat.
When engaging in oral sex, one is exposed to contracting gonorrhoea if the partner is infested with the gonorrhoea causing bacteria. This applies either way: giving oral sex to an infected partner, you get infected through their genitalia; receiving oral sex, infected mouth and throat will also lead to a gonorrhoea infection. If expectant, you should also seek treatment if infected with Gonorrhoea as you can pass it to your baby during birth. Gonorrhoea transmitted during birth is common for the baby to have eye and blood infections and it begins 2 to 4 days after birth. This normally results in the redness of the babies eyes, swelling of the eyes, and pus in the eyes.
Where I cannot get gonorrhoea
Fluids are not required to transmit the bacteria causing gonorrhoea, therefore, it is not possible to get the STI through casual contact like holding hands, hugging, sharing food and sitting on a toilet.
What increases my likelihood of getting gonorrhoea
Engaging with several sex partners will make you exposed to infected partners. Having sex without using protection is a way that exposes you to Gonorrhoea. You should use condoms when having sex as that protects you from STIs and also HIV/AIDS. Youths below 24 years are also highly exposed to gonorrhoea as they have a tendency of having unprotected more times compared to other age groups. This group of individuals are also less likely to go for testing. The way you are likely to get gonorrhoea is if you have a previous diagnosis of a STI as this increases the susceptibility of your body to contracting another STI and HIV/AIDS.
What are the signs that am having gonorrhoea
There are differences in how gonorrhoea manifests in men and in women though there are some common symptoms for both sexes. A burning sensation when urinating can be a sign of a gonorrhoea infection. Abnormal discharges in the vagina and penis is the other common sign of an infection in either sex though this is common with other STIs and is recommendable that you get tested.
In women, painful periods, pain during sex, fever, bleeding between periods and abdominal pain are also signs of a gonorrhoea infection.
How do I treat gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea is treated the same be it an infection in the mouth, throat eyes or the genitals. Gonorrhoea is treated by a regimen of antibiotics, mostly oral. The most recommended antibiotics are cefixime, doxycycline and ceftriaxone.
The infection should clear after a week or two.
Gonorrhoea is curable by taking appropriate medication as directed. Nonetheless, repeat infections of the STI are common.
It is recommended that you and your partner restrain from sex until the treatment is over and you should wait for at least one week after completing the medication before having sex with your partner again.
What complications am I likely to have if I don’t treat gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea sometimes has no symptoms. Stigma and lack of access to medication are all reasons why you might not go for medication. Untreated gonorrhoea creates serious health problems. In women, it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which can result in permanent damage to your reproductive system, ectopic pregnancy, premature births or infertility.
Being infected with gonorrhoea before does not make one safe even if it was treated as they can still contract the STI.
Why has gonorrhoea become resistant to antibiotics
You should finish your prescription of antibiotics as failure to finish the dose allows the bacteria causing gonorrhoea to mutate and be resistant to antibiotics. The rapid changing of the Neisseria gonorrhoeae has creates a worldwide public health issue. The WHO(http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/rtis/gonococcal_resistance/en/) has thus come up with a programme that surveys and informs on the treatment guidelines for antibiotic resistant gonorrhoea.