Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) which is sometimes called 'the clap'. Most females and some males have no symptoms at all, so you don't know when you have it or when your partner has it.
Signs and symptoms
Most males get a yellow discharge from the penis and a burning sensation when passing urine.
Most females have no symptoms at all. Some may notice unusual vaginal discharge, pain when passing urine and lower belly pain.Both males and females may have a sore throat.
Risk factors
Unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex, that is, sex without a condom or dam.
What can happen
If gonorrhoea is left untreated, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in females and infertility in males and females. PID is when the infection spreads into a woman's reproductive organs and may cause infertility (which means you can't have a baby). Gonorrhoea can also cause a condition which gives males very sore testes (balls). If a woman is pregnant and has gonorrhoea it can seriously affect her baby.
Treatment
If you have gonorrhoea your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. Your doctor will ask you about other people you may have had unprotected sex with because they could also have gonorrhoea. This is called contact tracing.
Prevention
- Always use condoms or dams and water-based lubricant.
- Before you have sex, talk with your partner about the importance of safe sex.
- Be open with your partner and make sure you or they don't have any other sex partners.
- Limit your sex partners.
- Get regular STI tests.
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