Description of the Disease

Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium, Neisseria gonorrheae.  Gonorrhea easily multiplies in warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, such as the cervix, uterus and urethra.  The bacteria can be further spread to the mouth, throat, eyes and anus, through oral or rectal sex.  If left untreated, it can infect the fallopian tubes causing a condition called Pelvic Inflammation Disease (PID), and can lead to serious reproductive damage that causes infertility in both men and women.  Over 600,000 people are infected annually in the United States.

Related Health Department Web Links

• Assessments

• Chlamydia

• Genital Herpes

• HIV/AIDS

• Sexually Transmitted Infections

• Syphilis

• Venereal Warts

Related Outside  Websites

• Planned Parenthood of Western Washington

What services are provided by Health Department professionals for Cowlitz County?

• Distribution of condoms.

• Consultation with Public Health Nurses regarding the symptoms, treatment and prevention of Gonorrhea.

• Monitoring  and reporting levels of Gonorrhea and other STI's in Cowlitz County.

• Referrals to private health care providers for treatment.

Transmission

Gonorrhea is transmitted through contact with an infected penis, vagina, mouth or anus.  Ejaculation does not have to occur to contract through sex. 

Populations At Risk

Any sexually active person can be infected with gonorrhea.  Teenagers and young adults are particularly at risk.

Symptoms

Symptoms in males include a burning sensation while urinating, white, yellow or green discharge from the penis, and painful and swollen testicles. Women have mild or no symptoms.  Symptoms in females include a burning sensation while urinating, and increased vaginal discharge.  Both men and women can have a rectal infection that causes discharge, itching, soreness, bleeding and sometimes painful bowel movements.

Potential Complications

Untreated gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease in women.  PID can then lead to  chronic pelvic pain, infertility or damage to fallopian tubes, increasing the risk of ectopic pregnancy.  In men, the illness can cause epididymititis, a painful condition of the testicles that can lead to infertility if left untreated.  It can also spread to blood and joints.  A pregnant woman during birth can pass the infection to the baby during delivery, which can cause blindness, joint infection or blood infection to the baby.

Prevention 

The surest way to avoid gonorrhea is to abstain from sexual contact, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected.  Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of transmission. 

Diagnosis & Treatment

Gonorrhea is diagnosed by laboratory analysis of a urine sample, or culture of discharge from an infected site.  Several antibiotics are effective against this sexually transmitted infection.