See your doctor
Many people feel embarrassed or guilty about having a sexually
transmitted disease (STD) such as gonorrhea. But you should never
let these feelings keep you from seeing your doctor if you suspect
a problem or from following through with your treatment plan. Remember,
your doctor is a medical professional who has dealt with all kinds
of issues. The important thing is to avoid complications by
treating gonorrhea early and properly.
Notify your partner(s)
Telling a sexual partner that you have gonorrhea can be difficult,
but it is very important since untreated infections can cause
serious complications. Any sexual partners you have had within 60
days of diagnosis should be notified so they can get tested and
treated.
Finish all your medication
One of the biggest mistakes people make in dealing with bacterial
diseases such as gonorrhea is not completing the drug regimen. This
noncompliance may be a particular problem with gonorrhea because
the disease often does not cause pain or other symptoms. Be sure to
take all the medication as instructed, or the infection may not be
cured. If you're having a reaction to the drug and feel like
stopping it, contact your doctor and discuss what to do.
Abstain from sex until treatment is
complete
Until the gonorrhea is cured, it is still possible to transmit the
infection, even if you are taking antibiotics and symptoms resolve.
You should see your doctor after a week of treatment to rerun lab
tests and confirm that the gonorrhea is cured. Talk to your doctor
about when it is safe to resume sexual activity. Remember ‑-
after gonorrhea is cured, you can get it again by having sex with
an infected partner.
Know how to prevent future gonorrhea
infections
Having this disease can be a wake-up call. Gonorrhea is curable,
but many other STDs are not. Behaviors that put you at risk for
gonorrhea also put you at risk for other, more serious, conditions.
You can reduce your risk
by having an exclusive relationship with one uninfected partner or
by limiting sexual partners. Also, insist on using condoms during
intercourse and condoms (on the penis) or dental dams (on the
vagina or anus) during oral sex.
Consider other STD testing
People with gonorrhea often
have chlamydia as well. Chlamydia, gonorrhea and other STDs
often produce few symptoms. Doctors sometimes prescribe a
combination of antibiotics to treat chlamydia as well as gonorrhea.
Ask your doctor if your treatment covers both conditions and, if
not, if you should also be treated for chlamydia. Also, talk to
your doctor about testing for other STDs.
Seek help when needed
A gonorrhea diagnosis can be distressing. It may also cause strain
in your relationship with your partner. The period after diagnosis
may be an especially emotional time. Counseling may be helpful for
you and/or your partner to get through the difficult issues that an
STD diagnosis can raise.
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