Gonorrhoea

Every year about 180 million people catch gonorrhoea, so this sexually transmitted disease is rightfully considered to be the most spread one.
In 1879 a famous French scientist Albert Neisser discovered the bacterium causing gonorrhoea, a microorganism resembling to a coffee bean.
The bacterium was called after the scientist Neisseria gonorrhoae.
Gonorrohoea is a sexually transmitted infection. It implies that it can be transmitted through genital (vaginal or anal) sex and oral sex. If a person is infected but prefers to have unprotected sex, all of his or her partners will catch gonorrhoea. ?Therefore no one should have sex with a partner without being sure that his or her sexual health is in a perfect order.
But there is good news. It is hardly possible to catch this disease through sponges, towels and other shared things. If your lover tries to convince you that he or she brought gonorrhoea from swimming pool be sure that this is an outrageous lie. Gonococcus ( other name of the bacterium causing gonorrhoea) is a rather short-lived thing, it must be in human organism constantly, otherwise it dies in a few minutes.

Gonorrhoea Symptoms

A hidden period when gonococcus has already got into the organism, but has not done anything harmfull yet, lasts from a few hours up to 2-10 days.
Women often show no symptoms at all. Even if the symptoms occur , they are not always indicated correctly. For example, yellowish or white discharges from the vagina can be thought a symptom of candidosis. If a woman has painful urination she may think that she has cystitis. But both these symptoms can be signs of gonorrhoea. Besides these a woman can have stomachache and discharges containing some blood in the middle of menstrual cycle.
Symptoms in men are much more noticeable. A yellowish slime with an unpleasant smell exudes from urethra, and the very process of urination is rather paintful. Penis becomes red and hydropic. Little ulcers are likely to appear on it.

Gonorrhoea Testing

If you suspect that you might be infected with gonorrhoea you should immideately visit your doctor. The doctor will listen to your complaintments, examine you and possibly will consider that an additional checkup is necessary. The discharges will be examined microscopically. Also you will be asked to give some samples of urine and blood for examination.

Gonorrhoea Treatment

Only a doctor knows how gonorrhoea must be treated. So forget about self-treatment. otherwise you can worsen everything and dramatically damage your sexual health.
Usually treatment in the early stages of the disease is quite simple. It involves taking antibiotics and some procedures for making your immune system stronger. Keep in mind that all your partners should take medical treatment, otherwise there is a high risk of re-infection.

What if it is left untreated?

If gonorrhoea is not treated within two months after infection, it is very likely to become chronic and will begin to damage eyes, joints and other important organs. Chronic gonorrhoea in women provokes inflamation of ovaries what can result in infertility. Men who do not take treatment are also likely to become infertile.

How to avoid gonorrhoea?

The rules are evident and simple
Do not have unprotected sex
Make sure you use barrier contraceptives correctly
You should know that urination after intercourse decreases the risk to be infected. But this method can be used as an extraordinary measure, rather as an usual way of self-protection.
We hope you will not have to resort to extraodinary measure, because you certainly do not have occasional sex contacts. Be choosy. Your sexual health is worth it.