Insertive MSM may get a penile infection from anal intercourse, while receptive MSM may get anorectal gonorrhea. The risk for men who have sex with men (MSM) is higher. Men have a 20% risk of getting the infection from a single act of vaginal intercourse with an infected woman. The infection is usually spread from one person to another through vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Infected persons may be able to infect others repeatedly without having any signs or symptoms of their own. Previous infection does not confer immunity – a person who has been infected can become infected again by exposure to someone who is infected. Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Gram-stained pus from a urethral discharge showing Gram-negative, intracellular diplococci Gonorrhea is also associated with increased risk of prostate cancer. The most common medical complication of gonorrhea in men is inflammation of the epididymis. This pain is caused by a narrowing and stiffening of the urethral lumen. In men, discharge with or without burning occurs in half of all cases and is the most common symptom of the infection. Most infected men with symptoms have inflammation of the penile urethra associated with a burning sensation during urination and discharge from the penis. Common medical complications of untreated gonorrhea in women include pelvic inflammatory disease which can cause scars to the fallopian tubes and result in later ectopic pregnancy among those women who become pregnant. Half of women with gonorrhea are asymptomatic but the other half experience vaginal discharge, lower abdominal pain, or pain with sexual intercourse associated with inflammation of the uterine cervix. Either sex can become infected in the eyes or rectum if these tissues are exposed to the bacterium. Other symptoms may include swollen lymph nodes around the neck. Both men and women with infections of the throat may experience a sore throat, though such infection does not produce symptoms in 90% of cases. The time from exposure to symptoms is usually between two and 14 days, with most symptoms appearing between four and six days after infection, if they appear at all. Gonorrhea infections of mucosal membranes can cause swelling, itching, pain, and the formation of pus.

The current name was first used by the Greek physician Galen before 200 AD who referred to it as 'an unwanted discharge of semen'. Descriptions of the disease date back to before the Common Era within the Old Testament. Infections in women most commonly occur when they are young adults. An estimated 33 to 106 million new cases occur each year, out of the 498 million new cases of curable STI – which also includes syphilis, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis. Gonorrhea affects about 0.8% of women and 0.6% of men. Sexual partners from the last two months should also be treated. Retesting is recommended three months after treatment. Resistance has developed to many previously used antibiotics and higher doses of ceftriaxone are occasionally required. Treatment is usually with ceftriaxone by injection and azithromycin by mouth. Gonorrhea can be prevented with the use of condoms, having sex with only one person who is uninfected, and by not having sex. Testing all women who are sexually active and less than 25 years of age each year as well as those with new sexual partners is recommended the same recommendation applies in men who have sex with men (MSM). Diagnosis is by testing the urine, urethra in males, or cervix in females. It can also spread from a mother to a child during birth. This includes oral, anal, and vaginal sex. Gonorrhea is spread through sexual contact with an infected person. If untreated, gonorrhea can spread to joints or heart valves. Many of those infected, however, have no symptoms. Complications in women include pelvic inflammatory disease and in men include inflammation of the epididymis.

Infected women may experience burning with urination, vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding between periods, or pelvic pain. Infected men may experience pain or burning with urination, discharge from the penis, or testicular pain.

Infection may involve the genitals, mouth, or rectum. Gonorrhea, colloquially known as the clap, is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Testing the urine, urethra in males, or cervix in females Ĭondoms, having sex with only one person who is uninfected, not having sex Ĭeftriaxone by injection and azithromycin by mouth Neisseria gonorrhoeae typically sexually transmitted Pelvic inflammatory disease, inflammation of the epididymis, septic arthritis, endocarditis None, burning with urination, vaginal discharge, discharge from the penis, pelvic pain, testicular pain

Oral gonorrhea symptoms pictures