Gonorrhea: causes, contagion, symptoms and treatment

Gonorrhea: contagion

Gonococci are bacteria responsible for contagion of gonorrhea. They mainly affect the mucous membranes of the urinary tract and genitals, but the intestines, throat and conjunctiva can also be affected.

• Gonorrhea is mainly transmitted through unprotected sex with people who are already infected. However, symptoms do not always occur, which is why the infection often occurs unknowingly.
• Body fluids that contain gonococci must come into direct contact with the mucous membrane to become infected, including the cervix, urethra, rectum, pharynx or conjunctiva.
• If a pregnant woman is infected, there is an increased risk of miscarriage due to the inflammation in the genital area.
• The baby can also become infected at birth. Above all, this can lead to severe inflammation of the baby’s eyes, which if left untreated can lead to blindness in the worst case. 
• Since gonococci die relatively quickly in the air, it is rather unlikely to be infected via contaminated objects. However, this risk cannot be completely ruled out.
• The incubation period is between 1 and 14 days. As long as the disease remains untreated, there is also a risk of infection.

prevention of contagion

A conscientious handling of one’s own sexuality is the be-all and end-all when preventing an infection.

• The use of condoms and femidoms significantly reduces the risk of infection.
• It is important that you use a new condom for each sexual partner.
• Sex toys should be cleaned thoroughly on a regular basis, and the use of condoms is also recommended here.
• People with frequently changing sexual partners or people who offer sexual services are particularly at risk. Such people also have the option of being tested for the disease.

symptoms in women

Although many of those affected often feel no symptoms at all, it is still important to identify the disease, since you can transmit it on the one hand and, on the other hand, it can lead to considerable complications if left untreated over a longer period of time.

• Inflammation of the urinary tract often causes pain and burning when urinating.
• Inflammation of the cervix often occurs, which can also lead to the formation of pus.
• If the Bartholin glands become inflamed at the entrance to the vagina, severe discomfort and pain occur in the vaginal area.
• If the internal sex organs such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes or the uterus become inflamed, fever, abdominal pain, discharge and spotting occur.
• Bloody and purulent discharge can be a sign of inflammation of the cervix.
• If the gonococci invade the fallopian tubes, cicatricial adhesions can lead to infertility.
• The infection can also spread to the entire abdominal cavity.

symptoms in men

Since gonorrhea can affect both men and women, men also have some symptoms that can indicate a condition.

• In men, urethritis is most common, which is noticeable by purulent discharge from the urethra. The opening of the urethra is also often red and swollen. There is also pain and burning when urinating.
• In case of complications, abdominal pain and epididymitis with swelling and pain in the testicles can also occur.
• The gonococci can also get into the prostate via the urethra and cause inflammation there. Signs include frequent urination, perineal and bladder pain, and fever.
• If the bacteria attack the vas deferens, purulent adhesions can lead to infertility.

Chronicity and gender-independent symptoms

If mucous membranes other than those of the genitals are affected, other symptoms can also occur regardless of gender. It becomes chronic if the symptoms are not treated.

• Gonorrhea in the rectum usually goes unnoticed, but if symptoms do occur, they are usually itching and burning, muco-purulent admixtures in the stool and pain.
• When the throat is affected, a sore throat usually occurs, which can be confused with a cold. In most cases, the pathogens disappear there on their own.
• In extremely rare cases, the pathogens can also be carried into the eyes, causing reddening of the eyes and swelling of the eyelids as well as pus formation. In the worst case, an infection of the eyes can lead to blindness.
• If the gonococci attack other parts of the body, tendonitis, painful joint inflammation, fever and skin changes can occur.
• Involvement of the brain and heart can lead to meningitis or endocarditis. However, this is very rarely the case.
• If the disease becomes chronic, the symptoms, which are locally limited to the mucous membranes, go back and the pathogens penetrate into deeper tissue layers, where they cause chronic inflammation that is difficult to treat.

investigations and diagnosis

If you experience symptoms that indicate an infection with gonococci, you should consult a doctor immediately so that you can be treated as quickly as possible if necessary. This is not only important so that you cannot infect anyone else, but also to avoid possible complications or even chronification.

• See a doctor right away. The first point of contact for women is a gynaecologist, for men a urologist.
• After the respective doctor has had the symptoms described, he will examine the affected parts of the body.
• In order to be able to diagnose gonorrhea, the pathogens must be detected. This is done by taking a swab from the urethra, uterus, anus, conjunctiva or throat.
• In order to be able to make a reliable diagnosis, a culture test must also be carried out by a laboratory. The bacterial culture is then also examined to see which antibiotic can be used to treat the bacteria.
• Urine tests can also be used to diagnose gonorrhea.

The sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea should always be diagnosed and treated by a doctor to avoid infecting others and avoiding possible complications.

gonorrhea treatment

If gonorrhea has been diagnosed by a doctor, the doctor will resort to individual therapy depending on the symptoms. Gonorrhea can be treated well with antibiotics.

• Because gonococci have become resistant to some antibiotics over time, gonorrhea is always treated with a combination treatment of two different antibiotics.
• It is important that the prescribed medication is taken as instructed by the doctor and not discontinued prematurely on one’s own initiative in order to prevent the development of resistance and to kill all pathogens.
• After you have finished taking the medication, you must have a follow-up medical check-up to check whether the treatment has worked.
• The infected person should refrain from sexual intercourse until the treatment is finally completed after another check by a doctor in order not to infect other people.
• Sexual partners should also be examined by a doctor and treated if necessary.