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Gonorrhoea

What is gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea is an infection of the mucous membranes caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is a common sexually transmitted infection that is primarily passed from person to person during sexual contact. It may also be passed to newborns delivered vaginally if the mother is infected, causing conjunctivitis (eye infection).

Who is at risk of gonorrhoea?

Sexually active people that do not practice safe sex, including the proper use of barrier contraceptives (condoms), are most at risk of getting gonorrhoea. The bacteria are transmitted from one person to another through vaginal, oral or anal sexual contact. Sexual penetration is not necessary as the bacteria are found in mucosal discharge and mucosal surfaces. Groups who are particularly at risk of getting gonorrhoea include:

  • Those with multiple sexual partners
  • Sexually active adolescents and young adults
  • Children sexually abused by an infected individual
  • Newborns delivered through the infected birth canal of the mother
  • Women during menstruation and pregnancy

What are the signs and symptoms of gonorrhoea?

The signs and symptoms of localised gonorrhoea are different between males and females.

Males

  • Inflammation of the urethra
  • Creamy or green pus-like discharge from the penis; blood can also be present
  • Painful urination (burning sensation)
  • Painful testicles

Females

  • Often there are no symptoms until the infection has progressed to a more advanced stage
  • Creamy or green, pus-like or bloody vaginal discharge
  • Itchy or irritable vulva
  • Painful urination (burning sensation)
  • Lower abdominal pain which may indicate pelvic inflammatory disease or peritonitis

Discharge in men can be mild to severe and does recede over time if left untreated. The only symptom can be so called “morning drop” with no further discharge. Despite the lack of symptoms, the patient is infectious and can pass the infection on to other partners. Rectal infection may occur from anal intercourse, and, in women, by local spread of the organism as well. Rectal symptoms include rectal pain, pruritus (itching), constipation and rectal discharge sometimes with presence of blood, or more often, there may be no symptoms at all. Pharyngitis (inflammation of the throat) that may cause mild to severe difficulty in swallowing may also occur in men and women with gonorrhoea. Gonococcal infection can be transmitted by infected fingers to the eyes causing unilateral conjunctivitis with severe inflammation and a yellowish discharge.

Not all patients with gonorrhoea will experience symptoms of the disease. There are no symptoms at all in 10–15% of men and in up to 80% of women. However, once infected the disease will spread until properly treated. Hence, in many women, gonorrhoea may have spread to other organs (disseminated gonococcal infection) and caused significant damage due to pelvic inflammatory disease before any signs or symptoms become apparent.

What is disseminated gonococcal infection?

Occasionally, widespread or disseminated gonococcal infection may occur. Signs and symptoms of disseminated gonococcal infection(gonococcaemia) include:

  • Joint or tendon pain with decreased mobility. The knee is the most common site of purulent gonococcal arthritis.
  • Skin rash – this is a common complaint in about one quarter of patients with disseminated gonococcal infection. On examination, rash is usually present in all patients with the disease.
    • Usually small papules that turn into pustules on broad erythematous bases and necrotic centres
    • Occur on the trunk, limbs, palms and soles (usually spares the face, scalp and mouth)
    • Haemorrhagic lesions, erythema nodosum, urticaria, and erythema multiforme occur less frequently.
  • Fever, chills and malaise

It is important to remember that patients presenting with disseminated gonococcal infection may not show any localised signs and or symptoms at the primary site of mucosal infection.

How is the diagnosis of gonorrhoea made?

Gram-staining and culture are the most common laboratory tests used to diagnose gonorrhoea.

Gonorrhoea may also be detected on chlamydia swabs, urine specimens and thin prep cytological samples by nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs).

  • Gram-staining involves taking a sample of the discharge and staining it with a dye. Results are often ready by the end of the consultation or within a few hours. This test is more accurate for men than women, as only 1 in 2 women with infection have a positive stain.
  • Culture involves taking a swab from the site of infection and from the cervix in females or from the urethra in males. The swab should be quickly applied to a culture plate and incubated for 2 days to allow the bacteria to multiply. This gives a much more accurate diagnosis and also guides treatment by providing information about the antibiotic susceptibility of the organism. This is very important as the gonococcal resistance to extended spectrum of antibiotics is reported to have increased worldwide. This can make the treatment of gonorrhoea challenging in future.

Gonorrhoea may also be detected on chlamydia swabs, urine specimens and thin prep cytological samples by nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs).

An ultrasound scan may be performed if pelvic inflammatory disease is suspected.

What is the treatment for gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea is treated with antibiotics effective against Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and should be started as soon as possible to prevent further complications.

Chlamydial infection is often found in patients with gonorrhoea, so it is important to ensure both infections are treated.

The choice of antibiotic depends on local sensitivities. For up to date and detailed recommendations, see WHO 2016 guidelines for the treatment of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

A follow-up visit after treatment completion to recheck cultures and confirm eradication of infection is important. Sexual activity should not take place until treatment is completed and all partners have been tested and treated appropriately.

What are the complications of untreated gonorrhoea?

If gonorrhoea is left untreated the following complications may occur:

  • Ascending infection in the urogenital tract in men, causing painful inflammation of epidydimis and prostate
  • Urethral scarring in men – possible decreased fertility or bladder-outlet obstruction
  • Scarring of the upper reproductive tract in women with PID – possible infertility, chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy
  • Neonatal infection and miscarriage from gonococcal infection in pregnant women
  • Scarring and permanent vision impairment or blindness resulting from conjunctival infection with gonorrhoea
  • Gonococcal meningitis
  • Arthritis

In patients with gonorrhoea, tests for syphilis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and chlamydia infection should be undertaken to exclude co-infections, whether or not there are other symptoms to suggest these diseases.

Can gonorrhoea be prevented?

If you think you are infected, stop all sexual contact and see your doctor or sexual health clinic. Notify all sexual contacts immediately so they can be checked for infection and treated appropriately. Safe-sex practices to prevent the spread of gonorrhoea include:

  • Limiting the number of sex partners
  • Use of condoms
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