What is Gonorrhoea....?
Gonorrhoea is the second most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK.

A veneral disease caused by bacterial infection through Sexual Intercourse, affecting both men and women aged 15 to 25 years.

How does one contract Gonorrhoea....?
This infection is mainly transmitted through sexual contact.
However, mothers infected with gonorrhoea can also transfer the disease to their children during delivery.

To prevent this, lapsis (silver nitrate) used to be applied to the baby's eyes soon after birth. The treatment was discontinued in 1985, and is only used today if an inflammation of the eyes actually develops.

What are the symptoms of Gonorrhoea....?
? Men may notice pain or burning when passing urine.
? A frequent need to pass urine.
? Discharge from tip of penis.
? Men who have received anal intercourse may notice pain in the rectum and discharge.
? Women are more often symptom free but may notice some vaginal discharge, pain on passing urine and the same rectal symptoms as men, if they have had anal intercourse.

Gonorrhoea effects both men and women but can go unnoticed by both as symptoms may be so mild. Man may show symptoms more than women. Mild or unnoticed symptoms means the infection can be easily passed on without your knowledge.

The bacteria can spread to the fallopian tubes and result in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can lead to blocked fallopian tubes and infertility.

In men Gonorrhoea usually effects the urethra. In homosexuals infection of the throat, anus and rectum are common. The infection can spread to other regions of the reproductive tract, such as the epididymis (an oblong structure attached to the upper part of each testis) and the prostate.

In both sexes Gonorrhoea can occasionally lead to more widespread infection of the peritoneum, joints and blood, with abdominal pain, arthritis and fever. On rare occasions the disease may be transmitted from mother to baby during childbirth and may result in their babies having conjunctivitis.

What treatments are there for Gonorrhoea....?
Gonorrhoea is easily treated with antibiotics. Current and previous sexual partners also need to be treated to prevent the spread of the infection.

What happens to untreated Gonorrhoea....?

WOMEN
If left untreated you may experience inflammation of the sexual organs, there is a greater risk of sterility and you may experince possible long term effects such as Closure of the Fallopian tubes.
MEN
If left untreated you may experience Arthritis, Skin Rashes, Fever, Joint pains and inflammation of the epididymis. A Chronic infection may also lead to constant difficulty when passing urine and infection may spread to the prostate and testicles.

What can I do to test myself for Gonorrhoea....?
If you are still worried and would like more advice or information on Sexual Infections please visit discreethealthcheck.co.uk.