Can gonorrhea be cured?

Yes, gonorrhea is curable with appropriate antibiotic treatment. However, antibiotic-resistant strains are a growing concern worldwide, making it essential to follow prescribed treatment and complete the full course.

Can you get gonorrhea from a toilet seat?

No, gonorrhea cannot be transmitted through casual contact such as toilet seats, sharing towels, or swimming pools. The bacterium requires direct mucous membrane contact and cannot survive long outside the human body.

Can gonorrhea cause infertility?

Yes, untreated gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women, leading to scarring of the fallopian tubes and infertility. In men, it can cause epididymitis, which may also affect fertility if untreated.

InfectiousICD-10: A54.9Approximately 1.6 million new infections occur annually in the United States

Gonorrhea

Also known as: The Clap, Gonococcal Infection

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It can infect the genitals, rectum, and throat and is transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. If untreated, gonorrhea can cause serious complications including pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and disseminated gonococcal infection.

Symptoms

Thick, cloudy, or bloody discharge from the penis or vagina

Painful or burning sensation during urination

Increased vaginal discharge or bleeding between periods

Painful or swollen testicles in men

Rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding

Sore throat if pharyngeal infection is present

Many women and some men are asymptomatic

Causes

Infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium
Transmitted through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex
Can be transmitted from mother to newborn during childbirth

Risk Factors

Age 15–24 — highest incidence age group
Multiple sexual partners
Inconsistent condom use
Previous gonorrhea or other STI diagnosis
Men who have sex with men

Diagnosis

Nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) on urine or swab samples
Gram stain of urethral discharge showing gram-negative intracellular diplococci
Culture and sensitivity testing to guide antibiotic selection
Testing for co-infections (chlamydia, HIV, syphilis)

Treatment

Dual antibiotic therapy: intramuscular ceftriaxone as primary treatment
Test of cure recommended 7–14 days after treatment for pharyngeal infections
Treatment of all sexual partners from the prior 60 days
Abstinence from sexual contact until treatment is completed and symptoms resolve

Prevention

Consistent and correct condom use for all sexual encounters
Regular STI screening for sexually active individuals
Mutual monogamy with a tested, uninfected partner
Prompt treatment of infected individuals and their partners

When to See a Doctor

Unusual genital discharge, pain during urination, or genital sores
A sexual partner has been diagnosed with gonorrhea or another STI
Routine STI screening is due based on sexual activity and risk factors
Symptoms of disseminated infection such as joint pain, skin lesions, or fever

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Conditions

Chlamydia

Infectious

Genital Herpes

Infectious

HIV/AIDS

Infectious

HPV (Human Papillomavirus)

Infectious

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