There are numerous sexually transmitted infections that affect individuals in Anguilla and one of them is gonorrhoea more commonly known as the clap. Gonorrhea spreads easily and can lead to infertility in both men and women, if untreated. Fortunately, if diagnosed and treated early with antibiotics the condition can be successfully treated and many of its complications prevented.
What is gonorrhoea?
Gonorrhoea is an infection caused by a sexually transmitted bacterium – Neisseria gonorrhoea that can infect both males and females. Gonorrhea most often affects the urethra, rectum or throat. In females, gonorrhea can also infect the cervix and other internal reproductive organs.
Gonorrhea is most commonly spread during sex, but babies can be infected during childbirth if their mothers are infected. In babies, gonorrhea most commonly affects the eyes.
Abstaining from sex, using a condom if you do have sex, and being in a mutually monogamous relationship, are the best ways to prevent sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhoea.
What are some symptoms of gonorrhoea?
Gonorrhoea is a common infection that, in many cases, causes no symptoms. Many individuals may not even know that they are infected.
Common symptoms are burning during urination and discharge. Later, the infection may cause skin rashes or spread to the joints and blood.
In men, discharge from the penis, swollen testicles are common complaints – while in women a vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, vaginal spotting between periods can be the present symptoms. Symptoms may be mild and are easily confused with a urinary tract or vaginal infection.
You should make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any troubling signs or symptoms such as a burning sensation when you urinate or a pus-like discharge from your penis, vagina or rectum. You should also see your doctor if your partner has been diagnosed with gonorrhoea. You may not experience signs or symptoms that prompt you to seek medical attention, but without treatment you can re-infect your partner even after he or she has been treated for gonorrhoea.
Who is at risk for getting gonorrhoea?
Anyone who is sexually active is at risk for gonorrhoea, regardless of gender, race, social class, or sexual orientation. That said, teenagers and young adults tend to acquire gonorrhoea more easily than older people. Having multiple sex partners also raises the risk.
Preventing gonorrhoea
The best ways to avoid getting gonorrhoea, and any sexually transmitted disease (STD), are to abstain from any sexual contact – and if you are sexually active you should be in a monogamous, long-term relationship with an uninfected partner. To reduce the odds of getting a sexually transmitted disease the following are useful:
• Ask your partner if he or she has a STD.
• Ask partners to be tested before sexual activity.
• Use condoms.
• Avoid sexual activity if your partner has signs of a STD.
• Be aware of symptoms and get regular checkups with your healthcare provider.
How to tell your partner
If you think you have gonorrhoea, or have been diagnosed with the disease, it is important that you tell your partner(s) as soon as possible. You may be able to spread the infection even if you have already begun treatment or are using condoms. I often recommend treating both partners at the same time. This may be a difficult conversation for you, but it is one that you must have. It might be helpful for you and your partner to visit the doctor together. Be sure to let your partner ask questions and express his or her feelings.
A course of drugs may cure gonorrhea, but a new exposure can start a new infection. If your partner is not treated, you can continue to pass infections back and forth. If you are not taking the right precautions to protect yourself, you can be re-infected quickly or even pick up a second sexually transmitted infection.
Diagnosis and treatment
Your doctor can easily make the diagnosis of gonorrhoea infection, and treatment can be instituted. Your partner also should undergo testing and treatment for gonorrhea, even if he or she has no signs or symptoms. Testing for other sexually transmitted infections like HIV should also be done.
What are some complications of gonorrhoea?
Untreated gonorrhea can lead to significant complications such as:
• Infertility in women. Untreated gonorrhoea can spread into the uterus and fallopian tubes, causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which may result in scarring of the tubes, greater risk of pregnancy complications and infertility.
• Infertility in men. Men with untreated gonorrhoea can experience epididymitis — inflammation of a small, coiled tube in the rear portion of the testicles where the sperm ducts are located. Epididymitis is treatable, but if left untreated may lead to infertility.
• Infection that spreads to the joints and other areas of your body. The bacterium that causes gonorrhoea 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 gonorrhoea makes you more susceptible to infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that leads to AIDS. People who have both gonorrhoea and HIV are able to pass both diseases more readily to their partners.
• Complications in babies. Babies who contract gonorrhoea from their mothers during birth can develop blindness, sores on the scalp and infections.
Conclusion
Sexually active individuals in Anguilla are at risk of getting many sexually transmitted infections and a common one is gonorrhoea. Fortunately, if gonorrhoea is diagnosed and treated early it can be cured and many of its complications prevented. If you have symptoms suggestive of gonorrhoea, or if your partner partners have these symptoms, you should see your doctor.
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge MB, BS, DGO, MRCOG, is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over thirty two years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 4975828).
