Why Worry about Gonorrhea?
According to the Maine Bureau of Health, as of Nov. 28, 2003, there has been a 68 percent increase in reported gonorrhea cases in this state over the past year. There has also been an increase in gonorrhea cases at University Health Services.
Gonorrhea is a curable infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoea.
* Gonorrhea is transmitted during oral, anal or vaginal sex. It is passed
when the mucous membrane (the soft skin covering openings of the
body) comes into contact with the mucus membrane secretions or
semen of an infected person.
* During oral sex, gonorrhea can be transmitted from mouth-to-penis
and penis-to-mouth contact – though less so from vagina-to-mouth or
anus-to-mouth contact. Transmission is not known to occur from
mouth-to-vagina and mouth-to-anus contact.
* Eye infections in adults can occur when discharge carries the bacteria
into the eye during sex or hand-to-eye contact.
* Gonorrhea cannot be passed through things like a towel, doorknob or
toilet seat.
* It can be passed from a mother to her baby, through the infected
birth canal.
* Once you are treated and cured for gonorrhea, you can be infected
again if you are re-exposed.
Most men experience symptoms about two to five days after exposure, with a range of one to 30 days. Men may also be asymptomatic (without symptoms). Most women are asymptomatic, but if they do develop symptoms, they will usually do so within 10 days of exposure.
Men might experience: yellowish-white penile discharge, burning or pain during urination, urinating more than usual, pain or swelling of the testicles.
Women might experience: Abnormal vaginal discharge that is yellow and perhaps bloody, and burning or pain during urination. If the infection moves into the fallopian tubes, it may remain asymptomatic or cause abdominal pain, nausea, fever, pain during intercourse and lower back pain. (This widespread infection is called pelvic inflammatory disease – PID).
Both men and women may have rectal or anal infection, though symptoms are not present in 90 percent of cases. When present, symptoms are anal or rectal itching, discharge and pain during defecation. Infections of the mouth and throat are also usually asymptomatic, but may include soreness and redness. Infections of the eye may feel like conjunctivitis – redness, itching and discharge.
There are several testing and treatment options for gonorrhea. Your health care provider can discuss these with you. People infected with gonorrhea are often also infected with Chlamydia – the symptoms can be similar. It is important to talk to your partner(s) as soon as possible so she or he can get treatment. It is possible to get reinfected if your partner does not get treated. Untreated gonorrhea infections can cause an array of complications, including infertility.
You can reduce your risk of getting gonorrhea by:
* Not having sex
* Having sex with only one uninfected partner
* Water-based spermicides are not recommended for the
prevention of gonorrhea. Recent studies have shown that
nonoxynol-9, which is found in most water-based
spermicides, is not effective in preventing gonorrhea.
* Using latex condoms for vaginal and anal sex
* To reduce the risk during oral sex, a non-lubricated condom
can be used for mouth-to-penis contact. Household plastic
wrap, a dental dam or a latex condom cut and opened flat
can reduce risk during mouth-to-vulva/vagina or oral-anal
contact.
If you are having unprotected sex or find that your partner is having unprotected sex with someone else, you may want to ask your health care provider about getting tested.
Sources: www.aafp.com
www.ashastd.org
Maine Bureau of Health