Mariah Montgomery by Mariah Montgomery

Gonorrhea

mariahmontgomery1119 — 2025-07-16 20:02:45 UTC

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection also known as "the clap". Gonorrhea is caused by bacteria that infect about 800,000 to 1 million people each year in the United States. Gonorrhea is most likely spread through sex with an infected partner. This infection can also be transmitted vertically from a pregnant woman to her child during childbirth. If left untreated, it can lead to serious health issues.

Neisseria Gonorrhoeae

mariahmontgomery1119 — 2025-07-16 20:13:46 UTC

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a gram-negative diplococcus bacterium that causes gonorrhea.

Symptoms of Gonorrhea

mariahmontgomery1119 — 2025-07-16 20:32:08 UTC

Symptoms of Gonorrhea can vary, and some individuals do not have any symptoms. Most men experience painful urination and penile discharge. The discharge can appear white, yellow, or green. Most women are asymptomatic however, they may still experience painful urination and vaginal bleeding. This infection can also effect other parts of the body such as the eyes, throat, and joints. Eyes can become sensitive to light and also experience a pus-like discharge. Someone carrying the infection can a sore throat or joints become red and swollen.

Effect of Gonorrhea on Newborns

mariahmontgomery1119 — 2025-07-16 21:40:17 UTC

If an expecting mother is infected with gonorrhea, there are numerous risks the newborn can face. For instance, the newborn can experience conjunctivitis, which can lead to blindness if not treated correctly. The bacteria can also spread to other parts of the baby's body. This can cause life-threatening infections like sepsis. However, if gonorrhea is treated properly through pregnancy risks can be reduced significantly.

Long Term Effects on Gonorrhea

mariahmontgomery1119 — 2025-07-16 22:20:57 UTC

Untreated Gonorrhea can lead to long-term health issues. For example, women can experience Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, which is an infection of the uterus and ovaries. Women can also experience infertility. Women with a history of gonorrhea are a high risk for ectopic pregnancies. On the other hand, men with untreated gonorrhea can contract epididymitis, which can cause pain and swelling in the testicles. Gonorrhea can also cause scarring in the urethra. However, for both males and females, having gonorrhea can increase your chances of other sexually transmitted diseases.

Treatment for Gonorrhea

mariahmontgomery1119 — 2025-07-16 23:55:21 UTC

Gonorrhea is treatable with antibiotics, but antibiotic-resistant strains
are becoming more prevalent. The antibiotic recommended is a single dose of ceftriaxone 500 mg. If an individual happens to be allergic to ceftriaxone your healthcare provider may give you a shot of gentamicin. Additional medications such as Doxycycline may be added to prevent co-infections. After getting proper treatment, patients are advised to avoid sexual contact for at least a week and then should be retested after three months.

Prevention of Gonorrhea

mariahmontgomery1119 — 2025-07-17 00:37:52 UTC

The only effective way to prevent gonorrhea is to not have sex. However, a more realistic goal to decrease your chances of contracting gonorrhea include

-having sex with a condom

-Do NOT have sex with someone who has an active infection/ gonorrhea symptoms

-Limit sexual partners

-Get tested for gonorrhea and have partners get tested

mariahmontgomery1119 — 2025-07-17 00:46:07 UTC

Skin lesions caused by Gonorrhea

mariahmontgomery1119 — 2025-07-17 00:48:08 UTC

mariahmontgomery1119 — 2025-07-17 00:51:45 UTC

Effect of Gonorrhea on Eyes