Gonorrhea symptoms vary depending on where the infection is affecting, and how long it’s been going on. Some people with gonorrhea don’t have any symptoms at all. This is especially true for women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB).
A person with gonorrhea has an infection with bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. They can get it from sexual contact with someone who has gonorrhea, or by coming into direct contact with an infected area on another person’s body. They can also pass it to someone else if they haven’t gotten treatment.
Symptoms usually appear within two weeks after an infected person has had sex. They may include an abnormal discharge or burning when you pee, pain during urination, and a genital rash or sore. They may also cause fever, irritability, and trouble with breathing.
How Gonorrhea is Identified
A doctor can diagnose gonorrhea quickly by examining a sample of urine or a swab taken from the cervix, vagina, or urethra. They use a microscope to look at the bacteria under a bright light. This is much faster than using cultures, which can take longer to identify the germs.
Tests for gonorrhea can be done in the doctor’s office or at a laboratory. DNA tests can quickly tell if the bacteria that cause gonorrhea are present in a sample of urine. A doctor may also order blood or urine samples to check for the presence of other STIs.
If you have a positive gonorrhea diagnosis, you and your sexual partners will need to get treated with antibiotics. Your healthcare professional will determine the best type of medication, which is usually an injection or shot followed by oral pills to be taken once or twice a day for 7 days.
Antibiotics are the most effective way to treat gonorrhea. But because the bacteria that cause gonorrhea can become resistant to some antibiotics, it is important to follow your healthcare professional’s treatment plan and follow-up recommendations.
The most effective way to prevent gonorrhea is to avoid unprotected sex. If you are unsure of your sexual partner’s ability to protect themselves from gonorrhea, consider asking for a condom.
Men with gonorrhea sometimes have a genital rash, sore, or a discharge. This rash or sore can be red, swollen, or itchy. It can also be painful and hard to scratch.
A swollen or tender testicle is also a sign of gonorrhea. This is an important sign because gonorrhea can spread to the testicles, which are found near the base of your penis. If you are a man and think you might have gonorrhea, it is important to get tested and treated right away.
Screening for gonorrhea is recommended for everyone, including women younger than age 25 and anyone at increased risk of catching gonorrhea. Annual screening is especially important for women who have a new sex partner or who are sexually active with several partners.
Getting a swab for testing or getting a test kit at a clinic or healthcare center is easy. You just need to bring your swab and the sample you used for the swab with you when you visit your provider. They will test it for gonorrhea and other STIs, and you’ll be given a prescription that both you and your sexual partner need to take.
