Gonorrhea is the most common curable sexually transmitted disease (STD). The STD is caused by the Gram-negative bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It’s a type of bacteria that can grow in warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, like the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes in women as well as the urethra in men and women. Gonorrhea can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes, and anus.
Gonorrhea spreads through through contact with an infected vagina, penis, anus, or mouth, or having oral, anal, or vaginal sex with someone who has gonorrhea. Touching infected sex organs, like the vagina or penis, and then touching your eyes can cause an eye infection. Semen or vaginal fluids can pass on the disease during unprotected sex with a partner who suffers from Gonorrhea.
Gonorrhea can communicate 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. However, gonorrhea cannot be passed by shaking hands or sitting on a toilet seat.
Gonorrhoea infection increases the risk of becoming infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), the AIDS causing virus. Common symptoms of gonorrhea include genital discharge, burning during urination, or pain during sex. Eye infection, symptoms may include redness, itching, or discharge from the eye. Gonorrhoea shows no symptoms in most of women. Common gonorrhea symptoms in women include Pain or burning when passing urine, vaginal discharge that is yellow or sometimes bloody, bleeding between menstrual periods, heavy bleeding with periods, and pain during sex.
The highest reported rates of gonorrhea infection are among sexually active teenagers, young adults, and African Americans in the United States. Approximately 75 % of all reported cases of gonorrhoea are found in younger persons aged 15 to 29 years in U.S. The highest rates of infection are usually found in 15- to 19-year old women and 20- to 24-year-old men.
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Submitted by admin on Thu, 2007-12-13 07:47.