STIs

Gonorrhoea

Alsogonorrheathe clapNeisseria gonorrhoeaegonorheagonnorhea

Not yet reviewed by a clinician. This health entry was written from the public-health sources listed below and is general information only. It is not medical advice.

Definition

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial STI that can infect the genitals, rectum and throat, and is treated with antibiotics, although resistant strains are a growing concern.

At a glance

  • Gonorrhoea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
  • It can infect the genitals, rectum and throat.
  • Many people, especially with throat or rectal infections, have no symptoms.
  • It is usually treated with an antibiotic injection.
  • Resistance to antibiotics is growing, so a follow-up test is often advised after treatment.

In detail

Gonorrhoea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae and spreads through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex. Symptoms can include discharge and pain when urinating, but many people, particularly with throat or rectal infections, have none.

It is diagnosed with a urine test or swab and treated with antibiotics, usually an injection. The bacteria have become resistant to several antibiotics over time, so a follow-up test is often advised to make sure treatment worked.

Without treatment, gonorrhoea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, fertility problems and, rarely, infection in the joints or blood. Condoms reduce the risk of transmission.

In a sentence

  • The doctor recommended a follow-up test to check the gonorrhoea treatment had worked.
  • In the US it is spelled gonorrhea, while UK leaflets use gonorrhoea.

Where the word comes from

The word is usually traced to the Greek physician Galen, combining "gonos" (seed) and "rhoia" (flow), because discharge was mistaken for semen. "Gonorrhea" is the US spelling.

Not to be confused with

  • Chlamydia

    Chlamydia is caused by a different bacterium and treated with different antibiotics, though the two often occur together.

Common questions

Why is antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea a concern?

Over time the bacteria have become resistant to several antibiotics, leaving fewer reliable treatment options. This is why clinics follow current guidelines closely and often recommend a test after treatment to confirm the infection has gone.

Can gonorrhoea be in the throat?

Yes. Gonorrhoea can infect the throat after oral sex and often causes no symptoms there. Clinics may offer a throat swab depending on the kind of sex a person has had. A sexual health clinic or doctor can advise on your own situation.

Related terms

Sources

  1. WHOGonorrhoea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection) fact sheet
  2. NHSGonorrhoea
  3. Planned ParenthoodGonorrhea