Sexually transmitted disease - Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases, caused by the gonococcal bacterium, in Latin Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and it's one of the oldest sexually transmitted diseases known to man and medicine. It's popularly known by names such as "tripper".

This bacterium is transmitted during unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse with an infected partner, and primarily infects the mucous membrane of the genital organs, rectum, and throat. Although the infection can be effectively treated with antibiotics, untreated gonorrhea can cause serious complications and long-term health problems.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 80 million new cases of gonorrhea are recorded worldwide each year in persons between 15 and 49 years. The largest number of sufferers are young people, usually those aged 15 to 24, which can be linked to risky sexual behavior, lack of information about protection, and limited access to health services.

Symptoms

Symptoms of gonorrhea depend on gender and place of infection and appear from 2 to 30 days after contact with an infected person. Also, in most cases, gonorrhea is asymptomatic or is accompanied by very mild symptoms, especially in the female population.

In men, the most common symptoms include burning when urinating, increased white or yellowish discharge from the urethra, pain during erection, and sometimes pain or swelling in the testicles. Because of the secretions that are characteristic of this sexually transmitted disease, gonorrhea got the name "dropper". If gonorrhea isn't adequately treated, the disease progresses, the pain in the urethra becomes stronger and more unpleasant, and the discharge becomes more abundant and thicker.

On the other hand, in women symptoms include increased vaginal discharge that can be whitish, yellow, or greenish with a very unpleasant smell, frequent urination accompanied by pain or burning feel, bleeding between cycles, and pain in the lower abdomen. And it's characteristic that it affects the cervix and other reproductive organs in women, and the urethra in men.

An infection of the rectum can cause itching, discharge, and pain, while gonorrhea in the throat is often asymptomatic, which makes diagnosis difficult. Because symptoms can be mild or unnoticeable, many people remain unaware of the infection and unwittingly pass it on to their partners during unprotected sex.

Diagnosis and treatment

Gonorrhea is usually diagnosed by laboratory analysis of urine samples, and swabs from the genitals, rectum, or throat, and treatment for gonorrhea involves the use of antibiotics. Therapy begins with an intramuscular injection of ceftriaxone in combination with azithromycin, which also helps in the treatment of a possible simultaneous infection with chlamydia. However, in recent years the increasing resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to antibiotics has become a significant global problem, which is why more and more investments are being made in the research of new therapeutic options.

Possible complications

Neglecting gonorrhea can lead to serious complications. In women, the infection can spread to the upper genital organs, which can lead to pelvic inflammation, which can result in infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pain. In men, gonorrhea can cause epididymitis, which can also affect fertility. In addition to reproductive complications, gonorrhea can cause disseminated gonococcal infection, a rare but very serious condition that presents with joint pain and a rash.

Based on all of the above, we come to the key measure for preventing infection with this bacteria, which is prevention. Prevention is based on education about safe, protected sex, including the correct use of condoms, regular testing for sexually transmitted infections, and open communication with sexual partners. Since many cases of gonorrhea can be asymptomatic, regular testing is key to early detection and treatment.

Public health also has a variety of strategies that include raising awareness through educational campaigns, providing access to health services, and developing new therapeutic options. Vaccines against gonorrhea are still in the research phase, but progress in this area may contribute significantly to controlling the spread of the infection in the future.

Gonorrhea remains a significant global health problem today, particularly due to the rise of antibiotic resistance. Early detection, adequate treatment, and safe sex are key to controlling the spread of this infection. Education and access to health care, along with ongoing research into new therapeutic options and proper prevention play a key role in the fight against gonorrhea.

*This text is intended for informational purposes only. If you experience any symptoms, it is recommended that you seek advice from your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional.*

*Image taken from the site:https://unsplash.com/photos/pink-bacteria-illustration-nwVHmuVpFTs

Reference

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Gonorrhea - CDC fact sheet (detailed). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov/gonorrhea/about/index.html

World Health Organization. (2022). Global health sector strategy on sexually transmitted infections 2022–2030. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240052390

World Health Organization. (n.d.). Gonorrhoea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection). Preuzeto 19, februara 2025, sa https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/gonorrhoea-(neisseria-gonorrhoeae-infection)