Gonorrhoea
Symptoms
Some people with gonorrhoea (pronounced gone-a-re-ah) may not have obvious symptoms:
- Girls with gonorrhoea may notice cramps, a change in vaginal discharge, pain when going to the toilet, or vaginal pain/bleeding between periods or after sex.
- Guys with gonorrhoea may notice a yellow discharge from the penis, swollen/sore testes or testicles and pain/burning when going to the toilet.
- Sometimes, symptoms can go away by themselves after a week or so, however this does not mean that the infection is cured. During this time someone with gonorrhoea can pass it on to someone else through unsafe sexual contact. The only way to cure gonorrhoea is to have the correct treatment.
How do you get it?
It’s spread through unsafe sexual contact. You can get gonorrhoea through vaginal, anal or oral sex. Both girls and guys can get gonorrhoea.
How do I know I have it?
Testing for gonorrhoea is easy and requires just a urine sample or swab.
What’s the treatment?
If you have the infection, it can be easily treated and cured with antibiotics.
BUT... it is important to remember that your partner/s will also need testing and treatment. This is called Contact Tracing. Re-infection is common especially if your partner/s is not treated and this will increase your risk of complications such as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease or infertility.
What to do
For advice, see your local doctor, family planning clinic or sexual health clinic.
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