Gonorrhea News and Research

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Gonorrhea is a very common sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhea. It is estimated that 820,000 new cases of gonorrhea are diagnosed in the U.S. every year.

Gonorrhea is usually transmitted during vaginal, oral or anal sex or through sharing sex aids that have not been washed or covered with a condom each time they are used. A mother can also pass the infection onto her baby during childbirth, which can cause blindness in the infant.

Common symptoms in men include a burning sensation when urinating and a white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis, although some men may have no symptoms. Women with gonorrhea do not usually have any symptoms but initial symptoms may include pain or burning on urination, increased vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding between periods and abdominal and pelvic pain.

If a woman is left untreated, infection can spread into the womb and fallopian tubes causing pelvic inflammatory disease which can lead to infertility and an increased risk for ectopic pregnancy. In men, the disease can cause epididymitis, a painful swelling in the back of the testicles that can also eventually lead to infertility.

Gonorrhea is identified using a urine test or swabs taken from a man’s urethra or a woman’s cervix. Antibiotics can be used to stop infection but cannot repair any permanent damage caused by the disease.
New electronic detection system for infectious illness

New electronic detection system for infectious illness

A quarter of teenage girls in the U.S. have a sex-related disease

A quarter of teenage girls in the U.S. have a sex-related disease

Stark warning about HIV in Australia

Stark warning about HIV in Australia

Beneficial bacteria found in healthy women provide clues for slowing HIV transmission

Beneficial bacteria found in healthy women provide clues for slowing HIV transmission

Do condoms prevent STD infections other than HIV?

Do condoms prevent STD infections other than HIV?

Abstinence-plus programs for HIV prevention can reduce risk behavior

Abstinence-plus programs for HIV prevention can reduce risk behavior

MRSA spike among gay men: More effective prevention needed for MRSA, HIV and other STDs

MRSA spike among gay men: More effective prevention needed for MRSA, HIV and other STDs

New superbug puts gay men at risk

New superbug puts gay men at risk

Experts in Britain say give away free condoms in pubs, clubs and taxis

Experts in Britain say give away free condoms in pubs, clubs and taxis

New challenges for diagnosis of bacterial STIs

New challenges for diagnosis of bacterial STIs

Online remedies for STIs pose significant public health hazard

Online remedies for STIs pose significant public health hazard

Hidden epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases in the U.S.

Hidden epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases in the U.S.

Baltimore Sun series examines link between commercial sex work, HIV transmission in Baltimore

Baltimore Sun series examines link between commercial sex work, HIV transmission in Baltimore

HIV infection is on the rise among young men who have sex with men in New York City

HIV infection is on the rise among young men who have sex with men in New York City

Sexually transmitted diseases flourishing in the UK

Sexually transmitted diseases flourishing in the UK

Ownership of genetic information

Ownership of genetic information

FDA approves treatment for bacterial vaginosis

FDA approves treatment for bacterial vaginosis

Oregon, Texas HIV/AIDS, STI awareness efforts focus on black youth

Oregon, Texas HIV/AIDS, STI awareness efforts focus on black youth

CDC warns about threat of drug resistant gonorrhoea

CDC warns about threat of drug resistant gonorrhoea

Improved effectiveness of partner notification for patients with sexually transmitted infections

Improved effectiveness of partner notification for patients with sexually transmitted infections