Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease. It is most common in young adults. Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae , a bacterium that can grow and multiply easily in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, including the cervix , uterus , and fallopian tubes in women, and in the urethra in women and men. the highest reported rates of infection are among sexually active teenagers, young adults, and African Americans. The bacterium can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes, and anus. This sexually transmitted disease is spread through contact with an infected vagina, penis, anus, or mouth. It is spread through semen or vaginal fluids during unprotected sexual contact with a partner who has it. Touching infected sex organs, like the vagina or penis, and then touching your eyes can cause an eye infection. It cannot be passed by shaking hands or sitting on a toilet seat. Gonorrhea can also be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby during the birth process through a vaginal delivery. In babies, gonorrhea infection may cause blindness, joint infection, or a life threatening blood infection. Gonococcal infections following sexual and perinatal transmission are a major source of morbidity worldwide. In the developed world, where prophylaxis for neonatal eye infection is standard, the vast majority of infections follow genitourinary mucosal exposure. More serious clinical syndromes may follow, with ascending involvement of the reproductive tract or systemic spread. Infection is due to N gonorrhoeae , a highly infectious gram-negative diplococcal organism. The pathophysiology of gonorrhoeae and the relative virulence of different subtypes depend on the antigenic characteristics of the respective surface proteins. Certain subtypes are able to evade serum immune responses and are more likely to lead to disseminated infection.
Rectal infections with N. gonorrhoeae occur in about one-third of women with cervical infection. Rectal infections in homosexual men usually result from anal intercourse and are more often symptomatic. Partners must be treated as well to avoid reinfection. The rates of infection for gonorrhea have risen more than 40 percent over the past five years. The recent rise in gonorrhea infection is attributed to people not consistently using safer sex methods. In addition, drug-resistant strains of the disease are being found across the country. The proportion of samples resistant to ciprofloxacin, one of the leading antibiotics for gonorrhea, has risen more than two hundredfold in the last decade. Gonorrhea is a serious health threat. In women, the infection usually begins on the cervix.
Causes of Gonorrhea
Common causes of Gonorrhea
- Bacteria.
- Blindness.
- Sexually infection.
- An infected mother may transmit gonorrhea to her newborn during vaginal childbirth.
Symptoms of Gonorrhea
Common symptoms of Gonorrhea
- painful or swollen testicles.
- Bleeding between menstrual periods.
- Regardless.
- Anal itching.
- Soreness.
- Yellow or bloody vaginal discharge.
- Irritation of the cervix.
- Fever.
- Lesions.
Treatment of Gonorrhea
Common Treatment of Gonorrhea
- Several antibiotics can successfully cure gonorrhea in adolescents and adults. However, drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea are increasing in many areas of the world, successful treatment of gonorrhea is becoming more difficult. Because many people with gonorrhea also have chlamydia , another sexually transmitted disease, antibiotics for both infections are usually given together. Persons with gonorrhea should be tested for other sexually transmitted disease.
- Health care providers usually prescribe antibiotics to treat gonorrhea are Cefixime, Ceftriaxone and Ciprofloxacin.
- Avoid sexual contact until you and your partner have been treated and cured. People who have had gonorrhea and received treatment may get infected again if they have sexual contact with a person who has gonorrhea.
|
