Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease which is also known as "the Clap.
" It is a common STD which affects around 800,000 people annually in the United States.
Men and women can both be infected.
However, men are more likely to show visible symptoms of the disease.
If you suspect that you are infected or may have been exposed to gonorrhea, it is important to get tested immediately, especially if you already exhibit symptoms.
Prolonged exposure to the disease may arise to various health problems such as epididymitis in men, and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) in women.
Gonorrhea may be treated using antibiotics.
Consult your health care practitioner immediately if you think you may have gonorrhea, or if you are experiencing any of its symptoms.
Simple tests can determine if you are infected.
The sooner you get treated, the better.
However, even if gonorrhea treatments are very effective, it cannot reverse or repair any damage in your reproductive organs brought about by the disease.
So visit your health care practitioner at a STD clinic right away to properly diagnose this illness.
The doctor will start the exam by asking about your previous medical history and information about the symptoms that you are experiencing.
Make sure that you describe the symptoms in detail and clearly so that the doctor can make an estimate about the length of time you have been infected.
Your doctor will also perform a physical exam and through this, will check for any signs of infection such as fever, discharge from the vagina or penis, and inflammation of the vagina and penis.
For women, the doctor will check if there is tenderness in the lower abdomen that could be an indication of an infection.
A sample of a vaginal discharge will also be taken.
Samples may be obtained from the cervix, throat, or anus.
In men, a sample of discharge from the penis, throat or anus will be taken.
These samples will be given to a laboratory which will perform culture testing of the presence of the bacteria Neisseria gonorrheae.
If you are positive for gonorrheal infection, seek treatment immediately.
Treatment involves taking antibiotic pills or through an injection.
A single dose is usually enough but some antibiotics should be taken in a longer period.
Common antibiotics prescribed to patients are Ceftriaxine, Cefixine, and Ofloxacin.
For pregnant women who are infected, and also those who are still under 18, you must inform your doctor.
Some antibiotics cannot be prescribed and taken by pregnant women or by people under 18.
Make sure that you take all of the prescribed medicines even if you are not experiencing any symptoms.
You should also abstain from any sexual activity until you have proven and tested that you are not infected with the disease.
If you are positive for gonorrhea, you sexual partner should also be tested to prevent the spread of infection and possible complications.
Go back to your health practitioner for a follow up after you have finished all medications.
It is important to also get tested for other STDs such as HIV and Chlamydia because many people who are infected with gonorrhea are at high risk to those diseases.