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Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infections which is caused by a bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Symptoms

Some people with gonorrhoea have no symptoms.

 

However, women may experience the following symptoms:

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  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding e.g. between periods (spotting), after sex.

  • Green or yellow discharge from the vagina.

  • Pain or burning when urinating (dysuria)

  • Pain, discomfort or discharge from the anus

  • Pain in the abdomen or pelvis

Diagnosis

If you think you may have gonorrhoea, you should see your doctor or attend a sexual health clinic.

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The doctor will ask you about your sexual history and symptoms.

 

They will also perform an abdominal and pelvic examination.

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If the doctor suspects you may have gonorrhoea then they will perform some tests such as swabs of the cervix, mouth and anus as well as taking a urine sample to test for gonorrhoea.

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You can also test yourself for gonorrhoea using a home-testing kit.

Treatment

If you are diagnosed with gonorrhoea or there is high suspicion that you may have gonorrhoea, your doctor will give you a single injection of antibiotics (ceftriaxone) into your muscle and a single-dose antibiotic tablet (azithromycin).

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Your doctor will also advise you to avoid sexual intercourse for 7 days.

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You should also contact any recent sexual partners as they may also be infected with gonorrhoea.

 

This includes any individual with whom you have had sexual intercourse within 6 months.

Complications

If gonorrhoea is left untreated, a woman may be at risk of the following complications:

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  • Pelvic inflammatory disease

  • Infertility

  • Complications of pregnancy (e.g. ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, premature birth or stillbirth)

  • Gonorrhoea infection in babies causes conjunctivitis and increases the risk of blindness.

  • Sepsis

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