Once the most well-known of all STIs, Gonorrhea has been around for centuries. It is a preconception that this sexually transmitted disease is now ‘ancient’ – this is far from the truth, and remains as a regularly diagnosed infection in GUM clinics all over the country. Thankfully, if caught early enough this bacterial infection can be treated with a solitary course of antibiotics - hence the informal nickname, The Dose.
Gonorrhea is passed between sexual partners through fluid exchange. This could be through vaginal, anal or oral sex, but also the sharing of sex toys that have not been thoroughly washed.
Thankfully, the bacterial virus does not survive outside of the human body for long, so you will not need to worry about catching gonorrhea through any non-sexual contact with somebody living with the virus - the sharing of clothing, water or even close proximity such as kissing is not enough to pass the virus on.
Pregnant women can, however, give gonorrhea to their babies, with blindness in the child a potential consequence.
One in ten people that contract gonorrhea will not experience any symptoms, so if in doubt always investigate a test, but the most common complaint of anybody living with the condition is bleeding between monthly cycles for women, a painful burning sensation while urinating for both genders, or most notably, a thick, mucus-like discharge of pus from the penis or vagina. If you experience this you should make an appointment with a sexual health specialist immediately, or buy a gonorrhea test kit online, to ease your mind. Captured in its early stages the infection will be treated by antibiotics (often in the form of one injection and one tablet), which will prevent the virus from spreading any further. Ignoring these symptoms, however, could have very severe consequences, including pelvic infections, and even ectopic pregnancies or infertility.
You are never far from a sexual health clinic, and you can find your closest service by entering your postal code into this NHS website. Women will often be tested for gonorrhea by taking a swab from their vaginal wall, as this is a more accurate reading in female cases than a urine test. Men, however, will typically be expected to provide a urine sample - although in some cases, a swab may be taken from the inside of the penis. The results of a gonorrhea test may take anything up to two weeks to be returned if you are using an NHS service, although some private clinics will be able to provide an immediate response in exchange for a fee by placing your sample under a microscope. But if you are a shy person, or get embarrassed by examinations of your private regions, you can always use the online testing service provided by TESTD.
Gonorrhoea is not a pleasant condition by any means, but thankfully the treatment for it can be swift and decisive. If you are in any doubt or wish to engage in unprotected sex with a new partner, ease your mind with a test and enjoy a life free of worry about your sexual health.
Follow Us on Social Media:
