Gonorrhea history and symptoms
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Gonorrhea (gonorrhoea in British English) is amongst the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the world and is caused by Gram-negative bacterium Neisseria gonorrheae. The term comes from Ancient Greek γονόρροια (gonórrhoia), literally "flow of seed"; in ancient times it was incorrectly believed that the pus discharge associated with the disease contained semen.[1]
History
Symptoms
- The incubation time varies from 2 to 14 days with most symptoms occurring between days 2 and 5 after being infected from an infected partner.
- A small number of people may be asymptomatic for up to a year. They may be completely unaware that they have caught the disease, and therefore do not seek treatment. This increases the risk of complications and the chances of passing the infection on to another person.
- Between 30–60% of women with gonorrhea are asymptomatic or have subclinical disease.[2]
Male
- Burning and pain while urinating
- Increased urinary frequency or urgency
- Thick, copious, urethral pus discharge (also known as gleet) is the most common presentation.
- Discharge from the penis (white, yellow, or green in color)
- Red or swollen opening of penis (urethra)
- Painful or swollen testicles
- Examination may show a reddened external urethral meatus.
- Ascending infection may involve the epididymis, testicles or prostate gland causing symptoms such as scrotal pain or swelling.
- Sore throat (gonococcal pharyngitis)
Female
Symptoms in women can be very mild or nonspecific, and may be mistaken for another type of infection. They include:
- Vaginal discharge
- Burning and pain while urinating
- Increased urination
- Off-cycle menstrual bleeding, or bleeding after sexual intercourse.
- Painful sexual intercourse
- Severe pain in lower abdomen (if the infection spreads to the fallopian tubes and stomach area)
- Fever (if the infection spreads to the fallopian tubes and stomach area)
If the infection spreads to the bloodstream, fever, rash, and arthritis-like symptoms may occur.
- Bleeding between [[menstruation|menstrual periods
- Vomiting,
Rectal gonorrhea/Gonococcal proctitis
- It is usually contracted from having rough anal sex. It can be avoided by using toys instead. It may affect both men and women
- Often asymptomatic
- Anal discharge
- Pain on defecating
- Rectal bleeding.
Gonococcal pharyngitis
- Caused by oral sex with a partner infected with gonorrhea.
- Usually asymptomatic
- Sore throat.
History and Symptoms
Although many men with gonorrhea may have no symptoms at all, some men have some signs or symptoms that appear two to five days after infection; symptoms can take as long as 30 days to appear. Symptoms and signs include a burning sensation when urinating, or a white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis. Sometimes men with gonorrhea get painful or swollen testicles.
In women, the symptoms of gonorrhea are often mild, but most women who are infected have no symptoms. Even when a woman has symptoms, they can be so non-specific as to be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. The initial symptoms and signs in women include a painful or burning sensation when urinating, increased vaginal discharge, or vaginal bleeding between periods. Women with gonorrhea are at risk of developing serious complications from the infection, regardless of the presence or severity of symptoms.
Symptoms of rectal infection in both men and women may include discharge, anal itching, soreness, bleeding, or painful bowel movements. Rectal infection also may cause no symptoms. Infections in the throat may cause a sore throat but usually causes no symptoms.
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Skin lesion on foot in a patient with Gonorrhea
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Gonococcal infection of the conjunctiva in a neonate
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Penile discharge in a patient with Gonorrhea
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Swollen testes consistent with epididymitis in a patient with Gonorrhea
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References
- ↑ Definition of the term gonorrhea
- ↑ YT van Duynhoven (1999). "The epidemiology of Neisseria gonorrheae in Europe". Microbes and Infection. 1 (6): 455–464. PMID 10602678.