Gonorrhea: Risk Factors, Diagnosis and Prevention
Gonorrhea is caused by an infection with Neisseria gonorrhea a bacterium that can infect both sexes alike. The disease usually affects the genital tract, urethra, rectum, throat, and eyes. Transmission of the disease is usually the result of vaginal, anal or oral sex. Gonococcal conjunctivitis can occur as a result of accidental infection from contaminated fingers.
In females, gonorrhea causes infection of the cervix. Untreated mothers may infect their babies during childbirth causing ophthalmia neonatorum. In babies, gonorrhea most commonly affects the eyes.
RISK FACTORS
- Age: a majority of cases of gonorrhea are seen at a young age
- Sexual contact with multiple partners
- Unprotected sex
- Previous history of gonorrhea or other STDs
- A new sex partner
- A sex partner who has concurrent partners
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
- In Males:
- Painful and frequent urination
- Pus-like or greenish urethral discharge
- Pain or swelling due to inflammation in one or both testicle
- inflammation or swelling of the foreskin
- In females: About 80% of women show no symptoms. The commonly found symptoms are:
- Painful and frequent urination
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Vulvar swelling
- vaginal bleeding between periods
- Painful sexual intercourse
- Post-coital bleeding
- Lower abdominal or pelvic pain
- Gonococcal Arthritis
DIAGNOSIS
- Urine tests
- Taking a swab of the affected area followed by culture of the bacterium:
- For heterosexual males: Urethral swab for gonococci
- For homosexual males: Pharyngeal, urethral and rectal swabs for gonococci
- For females: Urethral and cervical swab for gonococci
COMPLICATIONS
Untreated gonorrhea can cause significant complications, such as:
- In males: inflammation of the prostate, Infertility, Increased risk of HIV/AIDS
- In females: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), Infertility, Ectopic pregnancy, Increased risk of HIV/AIDS
- Babies who contract gonorrhea from their mothers during birth can develop blindness and sores on the scalp.
PREVENTION
To avoid or reduce your risk of sexually transmitted diseases, one needs to exercise the following caution.
- Avoid sex with multiple partners
- Get yourself and your partner tested for STIs
- Protected sexual intercourse
- Go for Regular screening
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