Gonorrhea: Key Q&A

What exactly is gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by bacteria. These bacteria spread through the body fluids associated with sexual activity, producing inflammation in both women and men.

Who is at greatest risk of gonorrhea?

Anyone can contract gonorrhea, but sexually active young people are at greatest risk. Gonorrhea is most prevalent among sexually active people under age 30.

How is the disease spread?

Gonorrhea is usually spread through any kind of sexual contact with an infected person: vaginal, oral or anal. Ejaculation is not necessary to spread gonorrhea. Sometimes it can also be spread through nonsexual contact, such as a pregnant woman transmitting the infection to her baby during childbirth.

Can it be spread through casual contact?

Gonorrhea cannot be spread through kissing, but it can be transmitted when one person touches an infected area on their body and then touches a vulnerable part (such as the eyes) of their own body or someone else's body.

Do the gonorrhea bacteria live long outside the body?

Away from a moist surface, they can live only briefly. They cannot survive on or be transmitted from inanimate objects.

How serious is gonorrhea?

The disease can be cured with antibiotics. However, if not treated early, it can cause problems such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID is a leading cause of infertility in women. In rare cases, gonorrhea infects organs such as the brain and spinal cord (meningitis), heart (endocarditis) or joints (arthritis).

How can the disease be prevented?

The most effective methods of prevention are abstaining from sex and being in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner. If you are not in a monogamous relationship, you can significantly reduce your risk by practicing safe sex. This includes using a condom or dental dam during vaginal, anal and oral sex. Limiting your number of sexual partners and knowing their sexual history is also important.

If you are at high risk for gonorrhea, getting regular testing can reduce the chance of long-term health complications of an untreated infection. Testing is not a standard part of a physical or gynecological exam, so you should request it from your doctor.

How common is gonorrhea?

Nearly 360,000 cases of gonorrhea are reported each year to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, the CDC estimates that a similar number goes unreported or undiagnosed each year. The only sexually transmitted disease reported more often is chlamydia.

What are the symptoms of gonorrhea?

Men are more likely than women to experience symptoms. Many women who are diagnosed with gonorrhea only find out they have the infection when they get tested after learning of a partner's infection. If symptoms do result, they may include pain, burning or itching during urination, pain during intercourse, bleeding after intercourse or abnormal vaginal discharge. Symptoms may appear in the genitals, anal region or in the mouth or throat, depending on the type of sexual activity that led to the infection.

Symptoms in men may include burning or tingling during urination, unusual discharge from the penis or swollen and painful testicles. Men who have unprotected anal sex with men may experience inflammation and anal discharge.

If symptoms do occur in women, they may include pain, burning or itching during urination, pain during intercourse, bleeding after intercourse or abnormal vaginal discharge. Symptoms may vary depending on the type of sexual activity that led to the infection (e.g., sore throat following unprotected oral sex).