Gonorrhea
Background information
There is increasing antibiotic resistance of gonorrhea worldwide, and there has been treatment failure identified in Ontario. As a result, Ontario is now recommending:
- A different treatment (injection plus oral medication), and
- A repeat test, in certain conditions, to make sure the infection has cleared.
These changes will help to ensure that any gonorrhea infection is treated effectively to decrease complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility, and to prevent the spread of the infection.
What is gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacteria. Gonorrhea can become serious if not treated early. Men may have a burning feeling when passing urine. They may also have discharge from the penis. Women may have vaginal discharge and irritation, or pain when passing urine. Up to 50 percent of women and 10 percent of men have no symptoms of the infection.
How can I get gonorrhea?
The infection can spread easily through direct contact with the sexual fluids of an infected person. The infection can be transmitted through unprotected oral, anal, and vaginal sex or sharing sex toys with an infected person, whether or not the person has symptoms.
What can gonorrhea do to me?
In women, gonorrhea can cause a serious infection of the uterus and fallopian tubes (pelvic inflammatory disease). It can lead to infertility and ectopic or tubal pregnancy. In men, gonorrhea can cause sterility and difficulty passing urine. Gonorrhea may also cause eye infection and arthritis. Infected women can pass this infection to their baby at the time of birth causing eye or lung infections in the newborn. Having gonorrhea during pregnancy also increases the risk of premature labour.
How do I get tested?
A swab can be taken from the cervix, urethra, rectum, throat or eye. It is also possible to test for gonorrhea through a urine sample. Talk to your health care provider to determine which type of test is best for you. Testing and free treatment are also available at KFL&A Public Health.
How do I get treated?
Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics, usually an injection in combination with pills. Do not drink alcohol when taking antibiotics. The signs and symptoms may go away in a few days but it takes approximately seven days to get rid of the infection. Free antibiotics are available from KFL&A Public Health.
When can I have sex again?
You may become sexually active again seven days after you and your current sexual partner(s) have received treatment.
Should I get re-tested?
Talk to your health care provider to find out if a test of cure is required after treatment. Repeat testing is recommended for everyone in six months.
How can I protect myself?
You can reduce your chance of getting infected if you:
- Use a condom every time you have sex,
- Limit the number of sexual partners you have,
- Know your partner's sexual history, and
- If you have a new sexual partner, get you and your partner tested for gonorrhea and other STI's before having any unprotected sex.
You can become infected again. The more times you get re-infected with gonorrhea, the more quickly the infection can cause serious problems.
For more information, contact KFL&A Public Health's Sexual Health Information line..
Revised: 2014-06-23