Living With Gonorrhea? A Basic Fact Sheet For Every Sexually Active Individual

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Gonorrhea is a common, sexually transmitted bacterial infection. In the United States, over 500,000 gonorrhea cases are reported each year. Half of these cases are diagnosed in people aged 15 to 24.

Left untreated, it can affect the genital, oral, and anal areas, causing serious reproductive health problems. It is critical to recognize the symptoms and signs of this curable condition and to receive proper gonorrhea treatment on time. This blog will help you know all about this sexually transmitted disease so that you can seek proper medical help. 

So, let’s get started! 

A Brief Overview of Gonorrhea STI

Gonorrhea is most commonly transmitted through vaginal, oral, or anal sex. The best way to avoid sexually transmitted infections is to use a condom if you do have sex, and be in a mutually monogamous relationship. However, if you happen to have multiple partners, you must get regular STD tests done to detect your sexual wellness. 

How Is Gonorrhea Spread?

You can contract or spread gonorrhea through oral, anal, or vaginal sex.

When engaging in sexual activity, using a condom or other barrier method can significantly reduce your chances of transmitting or contracting STIs such as gonorrhea. Just keep in mind that these barriers will not always completely eliminate your risk, primarily if you don’t use those correctly.

Gonorrhea Symptoms

If you have gonorrhea, you may not always notice any symptoms. However, even if you are an asymptomatic carrier (you have no symptoms), you can still transmit gonorrhea.

Because you aren’t aware you have the infection, you may be more likely to transmit it to your sexual partner(s) when you don’t have any symptoms.

Symptoms in Males

Within 2 to 30 days of sexual exposure, you may develop gonorrhea symptoms. However, symptoms may take several weeks to appear, and you may not experience any symptoms at all.

The first symptom you may notice is burning or pain while urinating.

Other symptoms that could occur include:

  •  
  • Increased urination frequency or urgency a pus-like discharge or drip from your penis (this discharge could be yellow, white, beige, or greenish)
  • Itching and soreness in your anus discoloration and swelling at the penis opening testicular swelling or pain
  • When having bowel movements, you may experience rectal bleeding or discharge pain.

Symptoms in Females

Many women do not develop gonorrhea symptoms at all. However, potential symptoms can appear anywhere from a day or two to several weeks after being exposed.

These symptoms are frequently mild. Furthermore, they can appear very similar to symptoms of vaginal yeast or other bacterial infections, making them even more difficult to identify.

The possible symptoms include:

  • Vaginal discharge that is watery, creamy, or greenish, pain or burning while urinating, a desire to urinate more frequently, heavier periods, or spotting between periods
  • Sharp pain in your lower abdomen during penetrative vaginal sex or itching and soreness in your anus
  • Painful bowel movements or rectal bleeding

Are You at Risk?

Sexually active people can contract gonorrhea from already-infected partners through vaginal, anal, or oral sex without using a condom.

Discuss your sexual activity with your healthcare provider in an open and honest manner. Inquire with them about getting tested for gonorrhoea or other STDs. If you are a sexually active gay or bisexual man, you should have gonorrhoea testing done once a year. If you are a sexually active woman, you should have gonorrhoea testing done once a year as well.

Can Gonorrhea be Cured? How Long Does it Take To Cure?

Gonorrhea is a common STD and if you have contracted it, the appropriate test for STDs will detect the presence of the bacteria Neisseria Gonorrhoeae in your sample. However, with prompt treatment, it can be easily cured with antibiotics to prevent further complications. 

It is crucial to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and to determine the most effective treatment options based on local resistance patterns. 

  • Treatment: Post STD testing, you need to seek the appropriate medical treatment involving the use of antibiotics.
  • Dual Therapy: Dual therapy with Ceftriaxone (an injectable antibiotic) and Azithromycin (an oral antibiotic) is commonly recommended.
  • Duration: The duration of treatment may vary, but it typically involves a single dose of ceftriaxone and oral Azithromycin taken simultaneously or shortly after.
  • Compliance: It is crucial to complete the full course of treatment as prescribed, even if symptoms improve or disappear before completing the medication.
  • Follow-up: After treatment, it is advisable to return for a follow-up visit with your healthcare provider to ensure the infection has been successfully cured.

Where to Get Tested For Gonorrhoea in Phoenix, Arizona?

If you are looking for the best place to get an STD testing in Phoenix, Affordable Rapid Testing would be the ideal place to opt for. The majority of the time, a doctor will diagnose gonorrhoea using a urine sample. Your doctor may use swabs to take samples from your throat and/or rectum if you’ve engaged in oral and/or anal sex. In some circumstances, a medical professional may also use a swab to obtain a sample from a woman’s cervix or a man’s urethra. A blood test can help to detect gonorrhoea in rare cases too. However, this test may not be conclusive.

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STD Testing with Affordable Rapid Testing

Results are usually available within a day or two when you are choosing Affordable Rapid Testing. If you suspect you have gonorrhoea, you should refrain from sexual activity until you receive a negative test result.

Wait seven days after you’ve finished all of your medications before having sex. You and your sex partner(s) should refrain from having sex until all treatments have been completed and your symptoms have subsided. This will help you and your partner(s) avoid contracting or passing on gonorrhoea again. 

You can get gonorrhoea again if you’ve had it before and took medication. This happens if you have sex with someone who has gonorrhoea without using a condom.

Conclusion

You can avoid transmitting or contracting gonorrhoea by using barrier methods for all sexual activity, getting tested for STIs on a regular basis, and discussing STIs with your partner(s) before beginning a sexual relationship.

If you suspect you may have gonorrhoea, you should get tested right away. Keep in mind that this infection is very common and is nothing to be ashamed of.

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