One of the most common sexually transmitted diseases that can be transmitted during an unprotected sexual activity is gonorrhea. It is often referred to as ‘the clap’ or ‘the drip’ and the highest infected groups are the following:
- Habitual drug users
- Young adults and adolescents
- African Americans
- Often Poor people living in the southern states or urban areas
The bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes gonorrhea through anal, vaginal or oral sexual relations which are the means of transference.
- During vaginal childbirth, a mother infected with gonorrhea may pass the infection to her newborn.
- There is a 20% risk of men getting infected when they engage in sexual relations with an infected woman.
- A woman stands a high 50% risk of infection when she has sexual intercourse with an infected man.
Symptoms
In women, it could take as long as three weeks before they show symptoms but the usual route is around 2 to 10 days.
Women
It should be noted that women have a small percentage of showing symptoms which could unwittingly make them spread the infection especially when she is sexually active with multiple partners. Symptoms when they occur may include:
- Bleeding between periods
- Pelvic inflammatory disease or PID is a serious health risk that causes infertility to women
- Irritation and infection of the vagina
- Irritation and infection of the cervix
- Burning and itching of the vagina
- Thick green or yellow colored discharges in the vagina
- Painful sex
- Pain or burning sensation during urination
Men
- Most of the time, there will be thick, yellow colored discharges from the penis
- Inflammation of infection of the prostate gland
- Burning or pain sensation when urinating
- Infection or inflammation of the testicles
Newborn
The mucous membranes of the eyes become irritated which could cause blindness if left untreated.
Rectal and oral symptoms
- Discharges or rectal pain is a sign that infection is in the anal area where sexual intercourse could have been done.
- A Sore throat can be an effect of a gonococcal infection which is caused by the gonorrhea infection transmitted during oral sex.
Medical help
As soon as you suspect that you have been infected with gonorrhea, set an appointment with your health care provider. It will even be more important should you show the following symptoms:
- Had sexual relations with a person infected with gonorrhea
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Pus-like discharges from the vagina or penis
- Pain and discharges from the anus
- Painful urination
- Appearance of a dark centered rash
- Fatigue
It should be noted that an early onset of gonorrhea that is tested and treated stand a better chance of quick recovery. It is recommended that sexually active people with multiple sex partners get a yearly STD test in order to rule out STDs that do not show any symptoms like gonorrhea. This will not only lead to prevent serious health conditions but also help contain the spread of infection.