Gonorrhea Symptoms

Gonorrhea symptoms

     Almost half of the sick people present no symptoms. The incubation period (time from infection to symptoms) is from 2 to 5 days, but there are times when symptoms do occur even after 30 days.

     Gonorrhea can provide symptoms only when it has spread to other parts of the body.

Gonorrhea symptoms in women

     In women the initial symptoms are mild and can be mistaken for a bladder infection or a vaginal infection. The symptoms may include:

• Frequent and painful urination
• Itching, anal pain, bleeding, incontinence
• Abnormal vaginal discharge
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding during or after sex and between periods
• Genital itching
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Pelvic pain
• Fever and asthenia (general feeling of fatigue)
• Swollen and painful Bartholin glands (glands located at the entrance of the vagina)
• Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)
• Sore throat (rare)
• Conjunctivitis (red eyes), rare.

Gonorrhea symptoms in men

     In men, symptoms are more serious, men going to the doctor for treatment before complications occur. There are men who don't have or have mild symptoms, they unwittingly transmitting the disease. The symptoms may include:

• Penile secretions (clear or with milk look at first, then turn yellow, creamy and excessive, sometimes with blood)
• Itching, anal pain, bleeding, urinary incontinence
• Sore throat (rare)
• Conjunctivitis (red eyes), rare.

     Symptoms of gonorrhea that has spread to other parts than the genitals (disseminated gonococcus infection) include:

• Rash
• Joint pain (arthritis)
• Inflamed tendons.

Gonorrhea in children

     During birth, gonococci can infect the conjunctiva, pharynx, respiratory tract and the anal canal of the child. If membranes will break early, the risk of infection increases dramatically.

     Gonococcus eye can be prevented by prophylactic administration of the eye drops containing silver nitrate or erythromycin.

     Since the new born children do not show in their circulation the class IgM antibodies directed against gonorrhea, they are very exposed in front of the Gonococcus bacteria. In most cases, the infection that begins in the first year of life is due to accidental infection of the eye or the vagina of the child, by an adult who does not respect the strict hygiene rules.

     Till the age of a teenager, most cases of gonorrhea is the emergence of vulvo-vaginal in girls who are aggressed; in such cases it should be identified the infection strains, which can be used as evidence in court, the isolated strain of the victim being identical to the one solated from the aggressor.

Specialist advice

     Gonorrhea causes no long term problems if treated in time, before complications occur.

     Health professional should be done immediately, if there are symptoms such as:

1. In women:
• Severe and sudden pain, in the pelvic region
• Pelvic pain associated with vaginal bleeding or secretions and fever (38 degrees or more)
• Painful urination, frequent urination or failure and fever (38 degrees or higher).
2. For men:
• Penile secretions, and fever (38 degrees or higher)
• Painful urination (dysuria), frequent urination or inability and fever (38 degrees or higher)
• Pain, swelling, tenderness of the scrotum and fever (38 degrees or higher).

     The physician should be asked if an assessment is needed in the following situations:

1. In women:
• Yellowish vaginal discharge, thick or foul-smelling
• Bleeding between menstrual periods occurring more often, the menstrual cycles being irregular
• Painful intercourse
• Bleeding after sexual intercourse
• Rashes, blisters, swelling or pain around the genital or anal area
• Burning, pain, itching on urination or frequent urination lasting longer than 24 hour
• Pelvic or abdominal pain that have no apparent cause such as diarrhea or menstrual cramps
• Conjunctivitis.
2. For men:
• Rashes, blisters, swelling or pain around the genital or anal area
• Burning, pain, itching on urination or frequent urination lasting longer than 24 hour
• Exposure to a sexually transmitted disease
• Abnormal penile secretions
• Conjunctivitis.

     The consultation should be done when a person has unprotected sex with someone who has or is suspected of having a sexually transmitted disease.