Gonorrhea is a rather common sexually transmitted disease that is caused due to the nerisseria gonorrhea bacteria. This bacterium infects parts of the body like the uterus, cervix along with the fallopian tubes among women. This infection needs warm and moist areas for growth and so can thrive in these areas. It can also affect the mouth, urethra, rectum and throat in men and women. The gonorrhea infection may not always result in visible symptoms.

Every year as many as 650,000 people suffer from gonorrhea infection in United States. Among these cases as many as 75% individuals belong to the age group of 15 to 29. This infection can be transferred through sexual intercourse including vaginal as well as anal sex. However oral sex may not necessarily result in transmission of this virus.

Where a man is receiving oral sex both individuals may contract this disease and where a woman is the recipient in oral sex the individual giving oral sex is more likely to get this infection. Gonorrhea infection can be transmitted even if visible symptoms or signs related to this infection are not present. This disease can also be transferred by a mother who is infected to her newborn child through vaginal childbirth.

The symptoms of gonorrhea infection in women may be confused as vaginal or urinary tract infection. The symptoms associated with this condition include a burning sensation during urination along with vaginal or penile discharge. The other symptoms include pelvic or abdominal pain along with fever and pain following sexual activity. Women experiencing gonorrhea infection may experience swelling in the vulva while men may experience swelling along with pain in the testicles. If this infection affects the throat then it can result in sore throat. In some cases it may affect the rectum and this may result in bloody discharge along with anal itching, bleeding, soreness and painful bowel movements.

The symptoms associated with gonorrhea infection are seen in women in around 10 days following exposure while in men these symptoms may be seen after 2 to 5 days. In some cases it may take around 30 days for the symptoms to surface. For diagnosis of this condition a swab of areas like the vagina, throat, rectum and urethra may be taken and analyzed for presence of this infection.

The gonorrhea infection can be treated through use of antibiotics. Treatment of the sexual partner of an infected person is also important. Even if the partner of an infected person does not have any visible symptoms the partner should take treatment for this infection. Sexual contact should be avoided till the time the treatment is completed. If treatment of this condition is not taken then it can result in some complications like pelvic inflammatory disease.

Some women may also develop other problems like sterility, heart problems, arthritis and ectopic pregnancies. This infection can be prevented if you are in a long term monogamous relationship with someone who is not infected with this condition. Use of condoms can also reduce the possibility of transmitting this infection.