Sexual Health

The infection A2Z web series is currently in development and upon completion will consist of ten websites covering the key principles of infection prevention and control.

Details of the following website launches will be regularly updated on the infection A2Z home page:

- Childhood Diseases
- Decontamination
- Healthcare Practices
- Pregnancy and Childbirth
- Sexual Health
- Waste Management
- Communicable Diseases
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- Emergency Planning
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A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P-Q-R-S-T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z

 

Transmission
Incubation
Illness
Treatment
Exclusion
Notification
Complications
Prevention
Vaccine
Contraindications
Further information
Further web links
References


Transmission

Gonorrhoea is a contagious sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrheoae. It is transmitted via sexual intercourse, sexual contact or genital contact with an infected person and can be caught by both men and women. It cannot be caught via casual contact such as from toilet seats or swimming pools.


Incubation

Symptoms are usually seen 1 to 14 days after initial contact with an infected person. It is usually asymptomatic in women.


Illness

The early signs of gonorrhoea may be mild and can go unnoticed. Generally, symptoms are more common in males than in females. In males the following symptoms may be experienced:

  • a white, yellow or greenish discharge from the penis
  • a pain or burning sensation when passing urine
  • pain or tenderness due to inflammation of the testicles or prostrate gland
  • pharyngeal infection.

Females may suffer any of the following symptoms:

  • pain or burning when passing urine
  • a discoloured discharge from the vagina that may contain blood
  • pain around the lower abdomen area
  • pharyngeal infection.

If the infection is around the anal area, symptoms include discharge from the anus, a pain or burning sensation and pain on anal intercourse.


Treatment

As gonorrhoea is due to a bacterial infection, antibiotics are given to treat it. These are usually given as a single dose and may be given orally or via injection. The antibiotics given are usually penicillin, ciprofloxacin, ofoxacin or ampicillin; cephalosporins are also used. It is becoming apparent that some strains of bacteria are becoming resistant to some antibiotics and it is therefore very important that the infection is treated correctly and all follow-up appointments with clinics are kept. Care should also be taken when treating the gonococcal infection of the pharynx as this is more difficult to eradicate compared to the other symptoms. If the initial dose of antibiotics is not successful, a stronger type may be prescribed.

All current and recent partners of the infected individual should be tested and treated with antibiotics to prevent the spread of the disease.

Further guidance on the management of gonorrhoea includes:


Exclusion

Sexual contact with others should be avoided until it has been confirmed that the treatment has been successful and no further antibiotics are required.


Notification

Incidence data are collected. Please refer to your local policy document for further details.


Complications

If left untreated, gonorrhoea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease in women, and once established this is difficult to treat. This can lead to abdominal pain, painful intercourse and can eventually lead to infertility. It can also lead to an increase risk of ectopic pregnancy. There is a small chance that, if left untreated, gonorrhoea can spread into the bloodstream or the joints. This can occur in both men and women.


Prevention

The risk of contracting gonorrhoea can be reduced by practising safe sex and always using a condom regularly and carefully. Reducing the number and frequency of different sexual partners can also reduce the risk.


Vaccine

None.


Contraindications

As with all antibiotics, certain side-effects can be experienced and they should be prescribed according to the individual.


Further information

Click here for further information on gonorrhoea and pregnancy.

The Department of Health has published a toolkit for assessing the range of competencies in skills, knowledge and attitudes required to manage sexually transmitted infections when delivering more specialised sexual health services within primary care. Click here for more information.

Click here for more information on sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, in Scotland 2005.

        


Further web links

British Association for Sexual Health and HIV
www.bashh.org

NHS Direct
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

NHS Direct Wales
www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk

BBC Health
www.bbc.co.uk/health

NetDoctor
www.netdoctor.co.uk

National Library for Health
www.library.nhs.uk

Society of Sexual Health Advisers
www.ssha.info

Male Health run by the Men’s Health Forum
www.malehealth.co.uk

Health Protection Agency
www.hpa.org.uk

Clinical evidence from the BMJ publishing group
www.clinicalevidence.com

A comprehensive Chlamydia reference and education site
www.chlamydiae.com

Young People’s Sexual Health website run by Central Suffolk NHS Trust
www.ypsh.net

Family Planning Association
www.fpa.org.uk

TheSite run by YouthNet UK with advice and support for young adults
www.thesite.org

Playing Safely
www.playingsafely.co.uk

Information for young gay men run by the Terrence Higgins Trust
www.ygm.org.uk

Teenage Health Freak
www.teenagehealthfreak.com

Information for young people on sexual health and life
www.likeitis.org

Information on sexual health for young people
www.sussed.uk.net

Brook Advisory Centre
www.brook.org.uk

Department of Health
www.dh.gov.uk

Sexual Health InfoCenter
www.sexhealth.org

Scotland’s Health on the Web provided by NHS Scotland
www.show.scot.nhs.uk

Gay Men’s Health
www.gmh.org.uk

Avert – an international AIDS charity
www.avert.org

Health Education Board Scotland
www.hebs.com

Health information relating to the National Curriculum and the National Healthy School Standard
www.wiredforhealth.gov.uk

NAM, Aidsmap (Aids information for patients and health professionals)
www.aidsmap.com

    


References

BIGNELL C (2001) National guideline on the management of gonorrhoea in adults. Clinical Effectiveness Group [on-line]. London: British Association of Sexual Health and HIV.
Available at: www.bashh.org/guidelines/2002 [Accessed 14 April 2005].

CHIN J, ed (2000) Control of communicable diseases manual. 17th ed. Washington: American Public Health Association.

HEALTH PROTECTION AGENCY (2004) General information – gonorrhoea [on-line].
Available at: hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/hiv_and_sti/sti-gonorrhoea [Accessed 14 April 2005].

NHS DIRECT (2003) Gonorrhoea [on-line]. NHS Direct online health encyclopaedia.
Available at: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/en.asp? [Accessed 14 April 2005].

This content is not intended nor does it replace individual professional advice. Please contact a healthcare professional or seek advice from NHS Direct (0845 46 47) NHS Direct Wales (0845 46 47) or NHS 24 in Scotland (08454 24 24 24).

last reviewed 29 July 2005
last updated 10 April 2007

 

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