Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is caused by a bacterium.  The gonorrhoea bacterium lodges itself in the mucous membrane of the penis, vagina, anus or throat.  Gonorrhoea is also popularly known as “the clap” or “the drip”.

You are at risk of being infected with gonorrhoea if you had unsafe sexual contact. Gonorrhoea develops when the infected mucous membrane comes into contact with the mucous membrane of the vagina, penis, anus or throat.

Men and women may present with entirely different complaints. It is important to know that the bacterium can be transmitted to others even if there are no complaints!

• Women infected with gonorrhoea often do not experience any complaints!
• If complaints develop, they always develop in the place where the infection was transmitted, so in the anus, vagina or throat. 
• The complaints may resemble those of a urinary tract infection, such as a burning feeling when urinating or pain in the lower abdomen.
• An infection in the vagina may cause the following complaints: increased or changed vaginal discharge (sometimes yellow-green), painful intercourse, blood loss after intercourse or blood loss in between periods.
• An infection in the anus may cause itching and slimy discharge.
• An infection in the throat may cause a throat infection and swollen glands in the neck.
• If left untreated, it may lead to an infection of the womb and fallopian tubes.

• In contrast to women, men infected with gonorrhoea do have complaints most of the time!
• A yellow-green discharge drips from the penis, hence the fact that this infection is also called the drip.
• With an infection in the urethra, a burning sensation when urinating may develop after one or two weeks.
• As well as the urethra, the prostate and epididymis may get infected.
• An infection of the anus may cause itching and slimy discharge.
• An infection in the throat may cause laryngitis and swollen glands in the neck.