MAIN Diseases Sexually Transmitted Diseases Gonorrhea

Many people think that contracting the HIV virus is the only danger in having unprotected sex. However, STDs pose a very real threat. Without treatment, STDs can be life threatening and increase the risk of contracting HIV.

The most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are syphilis and gonorrhea.

Commonly known as "the clap" or "drip", gonorrhea is caused by the bacteria, neisseria gonorrhoea. Diagnosis or testing for the disease involves a simple blood test to see if the gonorrhea bacteria is present.

Although gonorrhea symptoms are different for men and women, the most common reported is a burning sensation while urinating, which leads many people to write it off as a urinary tract infection.

In women, the affected areas can be the urethre, the uterus, the cervix, and the fallopian tubes. Symptoms may take anywhere from two days to several weeks to appear and, although ultimately treatable, gonorrhea may sometimes remain undetectable until symptoms have become severe. Chlamydia is often detected along with gonorrhea so both are commonly treated at the same time.

Typical treatments includes prescribed antibiotics. If untreated, serious damage to the reproductive system can be a long-term result along with increased risk of ectopic pregnancies and pelvic inflammatory disease or PID.

The best way to prevent gonorrhea is to abstain from intercourse. If that is not an option, then make it a priority to find out what you can about your partner's history. If someone you have been intimate with has been diagnosed with gonorrhea or thinks he or she might be infected with gonorrhea, it is extremely important to go and get yourself examined.

If you are pregnant and you think there is a even a slight chance you might have come into contact with this disease, it is important to be treated. Gonorrhea can be spread to the infant during child birth.

On the Web, discover all there is to learn about symptoms, treatment, and risks along with an online education for stopping this harmful disease in its tracks ...

More about gonorrhea around the Web:

MedlinePlus - Gonorrhea - One-stop browsing for links to more information on diagnosis, symptoms, treatments, news & updates, research, statistics, related issues & clinical trials.

Gonorrhea - Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention - Detailed fact sheet on causes, treatment, how it's spread, what to do if your diagnosed, and questions to ask your doctor.

Gonorrhea - Wikipedia - Extensive information on symptoms and available treatments. Where did the name "the Clap" come from? Find out here and check out a collection of related links, too.

Gonorrhea - Straight forward information on gonorrhea from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Gonorrhea Brochure - Expert answers to questions and general advice about gonorrhea from the NY State Department of Health, along with a listing for a national hotline for more information.

Also see -> Sexually Transitted Diseases | Teen Health

Also see in Teens -> Teens & Sexuality

This information is intended as reference and not as medical advice.
All treatment decisions should be made by medical professionals.