Signs and symptoms

• Many people do not have symptoms.
• If symptoms occur, they usually appear between 2 -7 days after exposure, but may last up to 30 days.
• Abnormal discharge from penis/vagina
• Burning or pain while peeing
• Irritation around the anus; bleeding or painful bowel movements
• Soreness or swelling around top of penis
• Painful or swollen testicles
• Bleeding between menstrual periods
• Painful intercourse (women)
• Lower abdominal or back pain (women)

Transmission

• Oral, anal or vaginal sex
• Infected mother to baby at vaginal birth

Prevention

• Abstain from oral, anal and vaginal sex.
• Use condoms/barriers consistently and correctly during oral, anal or vaginal sex.
• Maintain a mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested for gonorrhea and is not infected.
• Get early treatment for STDs.
• Get an infected partner treated.
• If a partner has gonorrhea, do not have sex with him/her until they complete treatment.

Treatment

• See a health care provider for exam and tests to figure out the best treatment.
• Treatment is typically a shot given in a clinic and might also include pills prescribed by a health care provider.
• If pregnant, get a follow-up exam to make sure the treatment worked.

If not treated

• Can increase risk for getting HIV
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (women)
• Infertility (women)
• Ectopic (tubal) pregnancy
• Chronic pelvic pain
• During pregnancy:
  • Premature delivery
  • Low birth weight in newborns
  • Eye and respiratory tract infections in newborns

Help stop the spread of gonorrhea

• Refrain from oral, anal or vaginal sex if you have symptoms
• Seek medical care, including STD tests
• Do not have sex until 7 days after you have completed treatment
• Take all medicines prescribed, even if your symptoms are gone
• Re-test in 3 months
• Make sure sex partners get treated
• Get yearly STD screenings if sexually active
• If you are pregnant, get tested for STDs/HIV