aboutsexuallytransmitteddiseases.com

Gonorrhea, also spelt gonorrhoea (and once known as the clap), is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrheoae. It affects both men and women and can infect the cervix, urethra, rectum, anus and throat. Gonorrhea is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Global gonorrhea statistics show that an estimated 62.35 million cases of gonorrhea occur each year, affecting more women than men. Gonorrhea is easily curable but if left untreated it can cause serious health problems such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can lead to abdominal pain and ectopic pregnancy in women. Untreated, gonorrhea can also lead to infertility, meningitis and septicaemia.

Symptoms of gonorrhea infection may appear 1 to 14 days after exposure, although it is possible to be infected with gonorrhea and have no symptoms. Men are far more likely to notice symptoms as they are more apparent. It is estimated that nearly half of the women who become infected with gonorrhea experience no symptoms, or have non-specific symptoms such as a bladder infection.

Gonorrhea symptoms can include:

Women:
a change in vaginal discharge. It may appear in abundance, change to a yellow or greenish colour, and develop a strong smell.
a burning sensation or pain whilst passing urine.
irritation and/or discharge from the anus.

Men:
a white or yellow discharge from the penis.
irritation and/or discharge from the anus.
inflammation of the testicles and/or prostate gland.

Source: Avert.org