Gonorrhea
Statistics and Facts
- There are about 700, 000 new cases of Gonorrhea each year but only about half of them are reported.
- Gonorrhea can be tested through a urine sample or a Gram stain where a sample is taken from the uretha or a cervix.
- There are antibiotics to cure Gonorrhea, however, Drug-resistant strains (strains of the disease are mutating so that the medicine no longer works on the bacteria) of Gonorrhea are occurring; which means that it is becoming harder to treat Gonorrhea.
Symptoms
- Women- symptoms are mild but can include pelvic pain, painful sensations while urinating, pus-like discharge, and uncommon vaginal bleeding. If there is a rectal infection, symptoms may include discharge, itching, soreness, bleeding or pain.
- Men- symptoms may not occur but if they do, it can include burning while urinating, a discharge from the penis, or swollen/painful testicles. If there is a rectal infection, same symptoms can occur as in women.
Damage
- Women-can lead to sterility. Gonorrhea is a common cause of PID in women.
- Men- can lead to sterility.
- For both- Gonorrhea can increase the risk of HIV by up to 5 times. Gonorrhea can also spread to the joints or blood.