31/05/2023
Complications
Untreated gonorrhea can lead to major complications, such as:
• Infertility in women. Gonorrhea can spread into the uterus and fallopian tubes, causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can result in scarring of the tubes, greater risk of pregnancy complications and infertility. PID requires immediate treatment.
• Infertility in men. Gonorrhea can cause a small, coiled tube in the rear portion of the testicles where the s***m ducts are located (epididymis) to become inflamed (epididymitis). Untreated epididymitis can lead to infertility.
• Infection that spreads to the joints and other areas of your body. The bacterium that causes gonorrhea can spread through the bloodstream and infect other parts of your body, including your joints. Fever, rash, skin sores, joint pain, swelling and stiffness are possible results.
• Increased risk of HIV/AIDS. Having gonorrhea makes you more susceptible to infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that leads to AIDS. People who have both gonorrhea and HIV are able to pass both diseases more readily to their partners.
• Complications in babies. Babies who contract gonorrhea from their mothers during birth can develop blindness, sores on the scalp and infections.
PREVENTION
To reduce your gonorrhea risk:
- Use a condom if you have s*x. Abstaining from s*x is the surest way to prevent gonorrhea. But if you choose to have s*x, use a condom during any type of s*xual contact, including a**l s*x, oral s*x or vaginal s*x.
- Limit your number of s*x partners. Being in a monogamous relationship in which neither partner has s*x with anyone else can lower your risk.
- Be sure you and your partner are tested for s*xually transmitted infections. Before you have s*x, get tested and share your results with each other.
- Don't have s*x with someone who appears to have a s*xually transmitted infection. If your partner has signs or symptoms of a s*xually transmitted infection, such as burning during urination or a ge***al rash or sore, don't have s*x with that person.