Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection. The causative agent of gonorrhea is the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The disease is spread through sexual contact with an infected person. Gonorrhea can be contracted through vaginal, oral and anal sex. It is also transmitted from mother to child during childbirth. There is no innate or acquired immunity to gonococcal infection in humans, so re-infection is possible.
About 0.8% of women and 0.6% of men suffer from gonorrhea. According to statistics, 33 to 106 million new cases of the disease are registered annually. Gonorrhea is the second most common sexually transmitted disease.
The incubation period is from 2 to 14 days. Usually the first signs of gonorrhea appear 2-6 days after infection. In 50% of infected women there are no signs of the disease. They may not know they are infected and therefore do not seek medical attention. This increases both the risk of complications and the likelihood of spreading the infection.
The disease can cause skin lesions, arthritis, endocarditis, meningitis.
Gonorrhea can also be contracted through oral sex with an infected partner. How does gonorrhea infection manifest itself through oral contact? This infection does not cause symptoms in 90% of people. The rest of the patients experience a sore throat (gonococcal pharyngitis).
The diagnosis of "gonorrhea" is made on the basis of test results and the clinical picture of the disease. It is recommended to conduct annual testing of women and men who frequently change sexual partners.
Laboratory tests for gonococcal infection:
- smear for gonorrhea;
- culture of secretions from the vagina, cervical canal, rectum, urethra;
- PCR.
Diagnosis of chronic gonorrhea is carried out with pyrogenal provocation. Patients must be warned about the reaction to the drug: fever, muscle pain, weakness.
Analysis for gonorrhea by microscopic examination of secretions by the Gram method does not give an accurate result in the diagnosis of pathology in women. The sensitivity of the method is about 30-50%. Therefore, for laboratory diagnosis of gonorrhea in women often use PCR and culture.
Antibacterial drugs are used to treat gonococcal infection. The scheme of reception is appointed by the doctor. This can be either a single dose of oral antibiotic or a standard dosage for seven days. The drugs of choice are ceftriaxone (solution for injection) and azithromycin (capsules, tablets). Treatment of gonorrhea in men and women is carried out according to one scheme.
After a course of antibacterial therapy it is necessary to pass the test for gonococcus again. Retesting is recommended three months after treatment.
How to treat gonorrhea depends on the form of the disease. A course of antibiotics is usually sufficient to treat acute gonorrhea. If the infectious process has spread and or the disease has become chronic, long-term treatment is required. In addition to antibiotics prescribed immunomodulators, hepatoprotectors, vitamins.
Gonorrhea is called "hussar's undead". But the disease is actually harmful and in the absence or improper treatment is fraught with serious complications.
- narrowing of the urethra,
- abscess,
- prostatitis,
- infertility.
A history of gonorrhea increases the risk of developing prostate cancer.
Prevention of gonorrhea is similar to other STDs.
Avoiding casual sex is the only sure way to "catch" the infection.
Safe sex means taking measures to prevent the transmission of infection from one partner to another before and during sexual intercourse. The practice of safe sex includes STI screening of all sexual partners, use of condoms, reducing the number of sexual contacts.
The probability of developing gonorrhea increases:
- in the presence of several sexual partners;
- if the regular partner has already been treated for STIs;
- when abusing alcohol or drugs;
- if no condom is used during sex.
To avoid infection, you should follow the rules of intimate hygiene, take regular tests for STDs and be examined by a doctor. At the slightest suspicion of infection, and even more so if you detect any abnormalities, you must immediately seek medical attention.
Date of publication 2019 - 2020
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