Worried you might have gonorrhoea? Here’s how to deal with it
Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The disease is passed from person to person via various forms of unprotected sex (oral, anal, vaginal). Naturally, the best forms of treatment are preventative, such as proper condom use or abstinence. However, if you’re reading our blog because you are concerned you may have contracted the infection, do not be alarmed. Modern medicine has meant that gonorrhoea is completely curable. Check out this quick blog on how to notice the key symptoms of gonorrhoea and what you need to do about it.
Get tested
The first thing you need is verification. Because of amazing technological advancements, you won’t even have to leave your home to organise your test. In fact, you can get a referral for gonorrhoea testing online, so all you need to do is make an account through an internet platform like ours and you’re already on your way.
Symptoms
It is important to understand that the symptoms between men and women can actually be different. In the case of gonorrhoea, symptoms occur within 2 to 14 days of exposure. Some people never even develop any noticeable symptoms, however, that doesn’t mean they aren’t contagious. In fact, they are more likely to spread the disease to other people because they are oblivious of their contagiousness.
Men
For most men, the first symptom is a burning sensation when urinating. After a while, a man might notice that he needs to urinate more often or that the tip of his penis is swollen or red. There might be a persistent pain in the testicles and a pus-like discharge from the penis. In some rare cases, pain can spread to the rectum and some men have even complained of having a sore throat.
Women
For many women, gonorrhoea symptoms are more understated and less obvious. This makes it difficult to identify; a lot of women even mistake the STI for a urinary tract infection. After being exposed to the disease, most women notice a pain or burning sensation when urinating, often accommodated by the need to urinate more often (like men). Some women will have heavier periods or some form of spotting, while they might even feel a sharp pain in the lower abdomen. Vaginal discharge is also common with gonorrhoea, as well as developing a sore throat and even a fever.
If you are not convinced that what you might have contracted is gonorrhoea, then organise to have a generic online STD test. This examination will check to see if you have contracted any STIs.
Treatment options
If a medical practitioner confirms that you have contracted gonorrhoea, then they may quickly put you on a course of antibiotics. Indeed, this may involve a single 500mg intramuscular injection (IMI) of Ceftriaxone into the buttocks. Injecting deep into the muscle ensures that the medication is delivered directly into the bloodstream and absorbed at a faster rate. This one-off injection is supported by an extended course of Azirthromycin (taken orally per day). Once you have started the antibiotics, you should feel relief within a few days. Antibiotics are the most effective method in killing the disease, however, some strands of antibiotic resistant gonorrhoea have emerged in recent times.
In terms of other immediate management, it is recommended that those with the disease don’t engage in sexual conduct for 7 days after the treatment has been administered. Furthermore, all sexual partners in the previous 2 months should be tested and treated.
If you are concerned, ashamed or embarrassed about your sexual health, there are many discreet ways in which you can get yourself checked. Simply check out a reliable online sexual health clinic like ours to get a test referral or medical prescription. Speak to one of our friendly and qualified doctors today!