What is gonorrhea?

Previously known as “the clap,” Gonorrhea is one of notorious sexually transmitted disease (STD). Gonorrhea (pronounced: gah-nuh-ree-uh) is caused by bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The bacteria can grow and reproduce easily in the temperate, moist region of the genital area, including the cervix (opening to the womb), uterus (womb), and fallopian tubes (egg canals) in women, and in the urethra (urine canal) in both men and women. The bacterium also grows in the mouth, throat, eyes, and anus. The bacterium is transmitted from one person to another by means of vaginal, oral, or anal sex. The infected person may not show any symptoms. Ejaculation does not have to occur for gonorrhea to be transmitted or acquired. A Newborn baby may also get gonorrhea infection from the mother during delivery. Gonorrhea is not spread from a towel, a doorknob, or a toilet seat.

Gonorrhea is a very widespread communicable disease. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates, more than 7 million people in the U.S. get fresh gonorrheal infections every year. Only about 1/2 of these infections are reported to CDC. In 2006, CDC was reported 358,366 cases of gonorrhea. The national gonorrhea rate declined during the period from 1975 to 1997. This became possible because of the implementation of the national gonorrhea control program in the mid-1970s. However, the national gonorrhea rate has increased for the second consecutive year, even after several years of stable gonorrhea rates. Out of per 100,000 persons, 120.9 persons were reported to be infected with gonorrhea in the year 2006.

What is gonorrhea? What are the symptoms of gonorrhea? How can gonorrhea be diagnosed? How is gonorrhea treated?

Anyone who is sexually active has a risk of getting gonorrhea. Gonorrhea is often found in young people between the ages of 15 to 30 who have had multiple sex partners. About 75% of reported cases of gonorrhea are attributed to the young people between the ages of 15 and 30. Particularly, women between the ages of 15 and 19 and men between the ages of 20 and 24 are at great risk of getting infected with gonorrhea. Gonorrhea is reported most often in the urban areas than in rural areas.

Though gonorrhea can be detected by its symptoms, one can be sure about the infection only after the diagnosis. If diagnosed with gonorrhea, the patient and the sex partners he or she have had must be treated for the disease. If it is left untreated, gonorrhea can cause serious and permanent health problems in both women and men.