DR MAXWELL ADEYEMI
Gonorrhoea is one of the most contagious sexually transmitted infections (STI) that can affect both men and women. It is caused by the bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoea, previously known as "the clap", which is mostly present in vaginal fluids and discharge from the penis. If not treated on time, it may damage the urinary tract, lead to heart disease, arthritis, meningitis and even infertility.
The surface of gonorrhoea bacteria has proteins that can easily attach to cells in the cervix or urethra. When this happens, they invade and spread to other regions of the body, making it difficult for the body to fight the bacteria and therefore destroying the cells and tissue of the body. Gonorrhoea spreads easily in moist areas of the reproductive tract, the mouth, throat, eyes and anus, and is most commonly transferred during vaginal, oral or anal sex without a condom.
It may lead to infertility in women by spreading into the cervix and damaging the fallopian tubes. In males, it damages the epididymis, thereby leading to infertility. Babies can also be infected with gonorrhoea by infected mothers during childbirth and can lead to blindness and cause sores on the scalp of the infant.
Risk factors
• Sexually active individuals.
• Having multiple sex partners.
• Having partners with sexually transmitted infection.
• Having unprotected sex.
• Sharing sex toys.
Signs and symptoms of gonorrhoea
Symptoms of gonorrhoea usually appear within two to 14 days after exposure to the bacteria. But not every carrier of gonorrhoea will have noticeable symptoms.
Men may experience a burning sensation when urinating; frequent urination; white, yellow or green discharge from the tip of the penis; swollen testicles; irritation at the anus; continuous sore throat.
Most women with gonorrhoea are asymptomatic, and even they have symptoms they are not easily noticeable and may be mistaken for minor vaginal infection. Women with gonorrhoea are at high risk of developing long-term complications such as infertility from the infection even when they show no symptoms. Some women may experience increased vaginal discharge; bleeding after intercourse; painful urination; abdominal or pelvic pain; pain during sexual intercourse; heavy bleeding.
Gonorrhoea can also affect other parts of the body such as:
• The eyes - sensitivity to light, pus-like discharge from one or both eyes, and pains in the eyes.
• Throat - sore throat and swollen neck.
• Joints - swollen joints, stiffness and painful movement.
• Rectum - anal itching, painful bowel movement, pus-like discharge, soreness and bleeding.
Gonorrhoea and fertility
Gonorrhoea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) when the bacterium scars the uterus and fallopian tubes. This causes blockage in the tubes and complications in pregnancy or infertility. This disease can occur within two days to three weeks of exposure to gonorrhoea. It can also cause ectopic or tubal pregnancy and epididymitis. In ectopic pregnancy,
