Infection with
gonorrhoea is increasing in the UK. We look at the best ways to prevent
Infection, common symptoms and treatment.
What is it?
Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection and both men and women can become infected.
Symptoms
It''s possible to have gonorrhoea and not have any symptoms. When symptoms do occur, men are more likely to notice them than women.
The symptoms depend on the site of the infection, as gonorrhoea can infect the cervix, urethra, rectum, anus and throat.
Men may experience:
a yellow or white
discharge from the penis
irritation and/or discharge from the anus
inflammation of the
testicles and prostate gland
Women may experience:
a change in vaginal discharge - it may increase in amount, change colour to yellow/green and have a strong smell
irritation and/or discharge from the anus may also occur
Left untreated, gonorrhoea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease in women, inflammation of the testicles and prostate gland in men, and eye infections in babies if it''s passed on during birth.
Prevention
Practising safer sex reduces the risk of infection with gonorrhoea.
Diagnosis and treatment
Testing and treating (if appropriate) all sexual contacts helps to prevent the infection being passed on to others.
The infections can be treated effectively with antibiotics.
You can find a clinic to help with genital herpes by phoning directory enquiries and asking for genitourinary medicine, sexually transmitted disease or venereal disease.