Gonorrhoea Symptoms & Testing
What is Gonorrhoea?
Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Gonorrhoea is a very common infectious disease. In 2016, over 800,000 new cases were reported in the United States (US).
In Singapore, gonorrhoea infections are most common among those between the ages of 20 and 40 with males accounting for more than 80% of cases (DSC, 2016).
Gonorrhoea is a very common infectious disease. In 2016, over 800,000 new cases were reported in the United States (US).
In Singapore, gonorrhoea infections are most common among those between the ages of 20 and 40 with males accounting for more than 80% of cases (DSC, 2016).
How do we contract Gonorrhoea?
Gonorrhoea can be spread during vaginal,
anal, or oral sex.
If you have had gonorrhoea and were treated, you can still get infected again through unprotected sex with someone with gonorrhoea.
If you have had gonorrhoea and were treated, you can still get infected again through unprotected sex with someone with gonorrhoea.
How can we tell that we may have Gonorrhoea?
Gonorrhoea may have no symptoms and the
infection can linger in the body for weeks or months before being discovered.
For those who develop symptoms, these typically appear about 4 – 6 days after sex.
Common symptoms of gonorrhoea:
• Women may complain of vaginal discharge, lower abdominal pain, pain during sex
• Men may complain of discharge from the penis, burning sensation when urinating, tingling or testicular pain and swelling
• Symptoms of rectal infection in both men and women may include discharge, anal itching, soreness, bleeding, or painful bowel movements
• Throat infection commonly has no symptoms or presents as a sore throat
For those who develop symptoms, these typically appear about 4 – 6 days after sex.
Common symptoms of gonorrhoea:
• Women may complain of vaginal discharge, lower abdominal pain, pain during sex
• Men may complain of discharge from the penis, burning sensation when urinating, tingling or testicular pain and swelling
• Symptoms of rectal infection in both men and women may include discharge, anal itching, soreness, bleeding, or painful bowel movements
• Throat infection commonly has no symptoms or presents as a sore throat
Testing for Gonorrhoea
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT/NAT) are the most sensitive tests and suitable for self-collected vaginal swabs or urine-based screening. Tests may be done on:
• A urine sample
• A swab of the cervix, vagina, or urethra
An alternative test is a bacterial culture from a swab of the cervix, vagina, or urethra.
Cross Street Medical offers gonorrhoea screening tests. Speak to our doctors today about what you may need. Female doctors are available by appointment. We ensure patient privacy and confidentiality for all discussions, tests and treatments.
• A urine sample
• A swab of the cervix, vagina, or urethra
An alternative test is a bacterial culture from a swab of the cervix, vagina, or urethra.
Cross Street Medical offers gonorrhoea screening tests. Speak to our doctors today about what you may need. Female doctors are available by appointment. We ensure patient privacy and confidentiality for all discussions, tests and treatments.
What does Gonorrhoea do to our bodies?
In men, gonorrhoea causes inflammation of
the epididymis, prostate gland, and urethra. They also have an increased risk
of prostate cancer.
In women, gonorrhoea causes pelvic inflammatory disease.
One of the complications of gonorrhoea is systemic dissemination resulting in skin pustules or petechia, septic arthritis, meningitis, or endocarditis. This may occur in women and men.
Untreated gonorrhoea may also increase a person’s risk of HIV.
In women, gonorrhoea causes pelvic inflammatory disease.
One of the complications of gonorrhoea is systemic dissemination resulting in skin pustules or petechia, septic arthritis, meningitis, or endocarditis. This may occur in women and men.
Untreated gonorrhoea may also increase a person’s risk of HIV.
What is the treatment for Gonorrhoea?
Since 2015, the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organisation (WHO) recommend treatment with two antibiotics (to prevent antibiotic resistance).
No follow-up testing for gonorrhoea is recommended.
For positive cases, other sexually transmitted diseases/infections such as chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV should be tested.
Cross Street Medical offers all relevant treatments for gonorrhoea. Speak to our doctors today about what you may need. Female doctors are available by appointment. We ensure patient privacy and confidentiality for all discussions, tests and treatments.
No follow-up testing for gonorrhoea is recommended.
For positive cases, other sexually transmitted diseases/infections such as chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV should be tested.
Cross Street Medical offers all relevant treatments for gonorrhoea. Speak to our doctors today about what you may need. Female doctors are available by appointment. We ensure patient privacy and confidentiality for all discussions, tests and treatments.
How do we prevent infection and re-infection?
- Avoiding high risk sex, including commercial sex workers, casual sex and multiple sex partners
- Using condoms, including during oral sex
- Being in a long-term monogamous relationship with a partner who has tested negative for gonorrhoea and other STDs/STIs