Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted bacterial disease caused by neisseria gonorrhea bacteria. Any sexually active person can be infected with gonorrhea. The infection can affect any gender of sex and any age group but most prevalent among those from 15 to 30 years of age. Gonorrhea transmission can occur through contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus. Ejaculation does not have to occur for gonorrhea to be transmitted. Besides sexual contact, another method of infection is an infected mother who may pass the gonorrhea to her baby at birth. The bacterium thrives in warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract. In women, it’s the cervix, the uterus and the fallopian tubes. Gonorrhea can also breed in the urethra of both women and men, as well as in the mouth, throat, eyes and anus.
Symptoms of Gonorrhea
Not everyone who is infected will have indications. Some may be infected for several months without showing any indications. If any, signs and symptoms of gonorrhea will appear within 2 to 10 days after exposure to an infected partner. Symptoms of gonorrhea in women in the genital tract may include:
- Frequent urination
- Pain or burning sensation when passing urine
- Vaginal discharge that is yellow or bloody in color
- Bleeding between menstrual periods
- Heavy bleeding with periods
- Pain during sex
- Redness and swelling of the genitals
- Burning sensation or itching of the vaginal area
- Irritation and/or discharge from the anus.
Advanced symptoms in women may indicate development of Pelvic inflammatory disease. The symptoms of which are cramps and pain, bleeding between menstrual periods, vomiting and fever.
Symptoms of gonorrhea in men in the genital tract may include:
- A burning sensation when urinating
- A white, yellow or green discharge from the penis
- Painful or swollen testicles
- Inflammation or infection of a duct in the testicles
- Infection or inflammation of the prostate gland.
Besides, genital tract gonorrhea can affect other sites in the body. The symptoms vary depending on the infected site.
Rectum: anal itching, pus-like discharge from the rectum and having difficulty during bowel movements.
Eyes: Eye pain, sensitivity to light, pus-like discharge from one or both eyes.
Throat: Sore throat and swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
Joints: The affected joint or joints may be warm, red, swollen and extremely painful while making movements.
Symptoms usually will develop within 2 weeks after exposure. If you experience a burning sensation while urinating or notice a pus-like discharge from penis, vagina or rectum seek medical attention. Even if you do not experience any of the symptoms but is experienced by your partner or if already diagnosed with gonorrhea, contact family physician or a general practitioner. It is also best to seek medical attention if you have had sex with someone who you suspect of having gonorrhea. Abstain from sex until you see your doctor.
Detecting gonorrhea
Gram stain: Before grain stain test, women are often given a pelvic exam and then sample of discharge from the cervix is collected and is placed on a slide. In men, the sample of fluid is taken from the penis. The sample is stained with a dye. The healthcare provider will use a microscope to look for bacteria on the slide. The test results can be obtained immediately. This test is more accurate for men than women.
Swab of affected area: A swab of your throat, urethra, vagina or rectum may be collected to detect the genes of the bacteria.
Urine test: Helps identify bacteria in your urethra.
Other tests: Other tests to detect sexually transmitted infections are likely to be recommended as gonorrhea increases risk of these infections.
Treating gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics (non-penicillin antibiotic such as ceftriaxone). Many people who have gonorrhea also have another sexually transmitted disease (STD) called Chlamydia. Doctors often give a combination of antibiotics to treat both STDs. The affected individual should take the medications as prescribed and completes the course of medication. The medications prescribed by the doctor will stop the infection; it will not repair any permanent damage already done due to the infection. Both the affected individual and the sex partner must be treated for gonorrhea even in the absence of symptoms of gonorrhea.
- Don’t skip medications and do take medications until finished.
- Do notify your sexual contacts.
- Do take sitz baths to relieve discomfort.
- Do wash hands frequently and thoroughly.
- Don’t drink too much of caffeine and alcohol.
- Do use latex condoms during sexual intercourse.
- Don’t resume sexual activity till the infection is cured.
Epididymitis
The epididymis is a tube in the male reproductive system connecting the vas with the testicles. When the epididymis gets inflamed, it results in epididymitis. This is the result of a bacterial infections such as gonorrhea and chlamydia. In other cases, it can be due to E.coli and similar infections. Examination of a patient suffering from epididymitis will usually reveal tender lymph nodes in the groin and tenderness in the area of the testicles. Doppler ultrasound, tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea and blood count might reveal epididymitis.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Nearly 1 million women in the U.S. alone suffer from pelvic inflammatory disease or PID each year. PID is an infection in the reproductive organs of a woman. It is essential to treat the symptoms of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease immediately when noticed. Failure to do so may lead to complications such as infertility and even can be life threatening. Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) such as chlamydia or gonorrhea are often the cause for pelvic inflammatory disease. Women who have multiple sexual partners or partners with symptoms of chlamydia or gonorrhea infections are at a higher risk for PID. Some forms of contraception such as IUDs may put a woman at increased risk of PID. Surgical procedures such as D and C (Dilation and Curettage), insertion of IUD (Intra Uterine Device) or treatment of an abnormal Pap smear can lead to pelvic inflammatory. Usually the cervix prevents the spread of bacteria into the internal organs. But when the cervix gets infected with an STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease), disease-causing bacteria travel up the internal organs and damage the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and abdomen. Bacteria present in the vagina and cervix can also have a precipitating effect on the Pelvic Inflammation. Usually multiple organisms are responsible for a bout of PID. Spreading of the infection can lead to further inflammation and scarring.
Women suffering from PID experience high fever and chills. Dull pain in the lower abdomen and lower back are typical symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease. A woman suffering from pelvic inflammatory disease may also experience fever and irregular mensrual bleeding. Other symptoms of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease are pain during intercourse and urination. Some women do not experience any symptoms at all. Laboratory tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea and urinary tract infection are conducted on a patient who might be suffering from PID. A pelvic ultrasound helps in looking for any abnormalities in the pelvic area or fallopian tubes. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease can also be diagnosed with falloposcopy - a visual study of the inside of the fallopian tubes.
Treatment for pelvic inflammatory disease is based on pelvic examination and examination of the woman's sexual and menstrual history. Antibiotic therapy of Floxin is used as oral medication for PID. This is the first FDA approved oral therapy for PID. Other drugs used in combination for treatment of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease are Cefoxitin, Oflaxocin, Clindamycin. If left untreated, pelvic inflammatory disease can lead to severe and permanent damage of the reproductive organs.
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