Gonorrhea

Because of the rarity of eye gonorrhea, it often goes undiagnosed for longer than genital gonorrhea. That delayed diagnosis can cause a severe complication to develop, known as gonococcal keratoconjunctivitis. This condition can lead to ulcerative keratitis, a severe eye disorder that can lead to blindness or vision loss. What Causes Gonorrhea? The Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria cause gonorrhea. This bacteria is spread through bodily fluids during sexual activities, including: Many people who may suspect they have an STI wait a certain period before going to the doctor to get tested. This delay in diagnostics can play a role in more severe health outcomes in people who have gonorrhea. Using at-home testing provides people with an affordable and accessible alternative to staying on top of their sexual health. When to Get Tested Anyone who is sexually active should get If you are sexually active and begin to experience any symptoms of gonorrhea, it’s vital to get tested immediately. This can ensure you don’t inadvertently pass the infection on to someone else and reduce your risk of developing severe health consequences caused by gonorrhea. Gonorrhea Treatment Because gonorrhea is a bacterial infection, it needs Practicing safer sex and always using condoms while pregnant can help lower your risk of gonorrhea. That said, if you do become pregnant, the best way to ensure that you are not infected and will not pass it on to your unborn child is by: • Getting tested for gonorrh...

Despite effective treatments, it is estimated that 374 million new cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis occur worldwide every year. In the United States alone, over 12 million new cases of these four infections were reported in 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For the purpose of this article, "females" refer to people with vaginas, and "males" refer to people with penises irrespective of the Syphilis Syphilis is an STI caused by corkscrew-shaped bacteria known as Treponema pallidum. The bacteria are passed from person to person through unprotected oral, anal, and vaginal sex. Symptoms Syphilis has been called the "Great Imitator" because its symptoms are often confused with other diseases. People with syphilis can sometimes go for years without symptoms. In fact, in the early stages, the painless sores may go unnoticed, particularly if they are hidden in the vagina or anus. • Primary stage: Typically during this stage, a single round, painless chancre erupts on the genitals, vagina, or anus 10 to 90 days after infection. The chancre will last for three to six weeks and heals without treatment. • Secondary stage: Even as the chancre starts to heal, secondary symptoms can develop, such as a rash (including on the palms and feet) and flu-like symptoms like fatigue, fever, sore throat, and muscle aches. This stage can last two to six weeks. • Latent stage: The latent stage is the long period in which there are few ...

Symptoms: Common symptoms are burning during urination and discharge, but often there are no early symptoms. Later, the infection may cause skin rashes or spread to the joints and blood. In Men: Discharge from the penis, swollen testicles. In Women: Vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, spotting. Symptoms may be mild and are easily confused with a urinary tract or vaginal infection. Most people don't notice the early symptoms of The USPSTF recommends screening for syphilis infection in persons who are at increased risk for infection. Without treatment, it can lead to paralysis, blindness, and death. Syphilis can be cured with antibiotics. Signs and Symptoms: The first sign is usually a firm, round, painless sore on the genitals or anus. The disease spreads through direct contact with this sore. Later there may be a rash on the soles, palms, or other parts of the body (seen here), as well as swollen glands, fever, hair loss, or fatigue. In the late stage, symptoms come from damage to organs such as the heart, brain, liver, nerves, and eyes. That painful cold sore you get on your lip every now and then? It's probably caused by a type of herpes virus called HSV-1. This virus is usually not an STD; it spreads easily among household members or through kissing. But it can be spread to the genitals through oral or genital contact with an infected person. Though there is no cure, drugs can shorten or prevent outbreaks. Signs and Symptoms: Occasional cold sores or "fever blisters" on the...

If you have sex — oral, anal or vaginal intercourse and genital touching — you can get an STD, also called a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Regardless of your marital status or sexual orientation, you're vulnerable to STIs and STI symptoms. Thinking or hoping your partner doesn't have an STI is no protection — you need to know for sure. Condoms, when properly used, are highly effective for reducing transmission of some STDs. But no method is foolproof, and STI symptoms aren't always obvious. If you think you have STI symptoms or have been exposed to an STI, see a doctor. Also, inform your partner or partners so that they can be evaluated and treated. Some STIs are easy to treat and cure; others require more-complicated treatment to manage them. If untreated, STIs can increase your risk of acquiring another STI such as HIV. This happens because an STI can stimulate an immune response in the genital area or cause sores, either of which might raise the risk of HIV transmission. Some untreated STIs can also lead to infertility, organ damage, certain types of cancer or death. Many STIs have no signs or symptoms (asymptomatic). Even with no symptoms, however, you can pass the infection to your sex partners. So it's important to use protection, such as a condom, during sex. And visit your doctor regularly for STI screening so you can identify and treat an infection before you can pass it on. Chlamydia is a bacterial infection of your genital tract. Chlamydia may be difficu...

Share on Pinterest SolStock/Getty Images Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Anyone can contract it. The infection typically affects one or more of the following body parts: • urethra • throat • rectum • cervix Newborns may also contract the bacteria during childbirth if their mother has an untreated infection. Untreated gonorrhea infections in babies typically affect the eyes. According to the Treatment for gonorrhea is effective, but many cases go undetected. This may be due to several factors, including asymptomatic infections and access to sexual healthcare. Over time, the bacteria that cause gonorrhea can spread to the bloodstream and other parts of the body. This can lead to a serious medical condition known as systemic gonococcal infection, also known as disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI). Not everyone with gonorrhea will have symptoms in the early stages of the infection. However, you may experience: • thick discharge from the penis • increased vaginal discharge • painful urination or burning with urination • spotting between menstrual periods • swollen or painful testicles • painful bowel movements • anal itching • anal discharge • sore throat When gonorrhea infections aren’t treated, the bacteria can spread, causing more symptoms. Specific symptoms depend on the area of the body affected by the bacteria. Symptoms that commonly occur with DGI include: • fever or chills • feeling ill or generally un...

Infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are increasing in the United States. Because most infections are asymptomatic, screening is key to preventing complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility and decreasing community and vertical neonatal transmission. All sexually active people with a cervix who are younger than 25 years and older people with a cervix who have risk factors should be screened annually for chlamydial and gonococcal infections. Sexually active men who have sex with men should be screened at least annually. Physicians should obtain a sexual history free from assumptions about sex partners or practices. Acceptable specimen types for testing include vaginal, endocervical, rectal, pharyngeal, and urethral swabs, and first-stream urine samples. Uncomplicated gonococcal infection should be treated with a single 500-mg dose of intramuscular ceftriaxone in people weighing less than 331 lb (150 kg). Preferred chlamydia treatment is a seven-day course of doxycycline, 100 mg taken by mouth twice per day. All nonpregnant people should be tested for reinfection approximately three months after treatment or at the first visit in the 12 months after treatment. Pregnant patients diagnosed with chlamydia or gonorrhea should have a test of cure four weeks after treatment. Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States and are required to be rep...