Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacteria that can grow easily in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, urethra, mouth, throat, eyes and anus. CDC estimates that more than 700,000 persons in the United States get new gonorrheal infections each year.

Any sexually active person can be infected with gonorrhea. Gonorrhea is spread through contact with the penis, vagina, mouth or anus. It can also be spread from mother to baby during vaginal delivery.

Women infected with gonorrhea are most frequently asymptomatic. When a woman does have symptoms they are often mild and can be so non-specific that they can be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal discharge or bleeding between periods.

Why test for Gonorrhea? What are the complications of Gonorrhea?

• It is a common cause of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can lead to
  internal abscesses and long-lasting pelvic pain.
• PID can cause infertility or increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy.
• In men, gonorrhea can cause epdidymitis, a painful condition of the testicles that
  can lead to infertility.
• If gonorrhea spreads to the blood or joints it can be life threatening.
• People with gonorrhea can more easily contract HIV and are more likely to
  transmit HIV.
• If it spreads from mother to baby during childbirth it can cause blindness, joint infection or a life-threatening blood infection in the baby.
• Gonorrhea can be successfully treated with antibiotics though drug-resistant
  strains are increasing.