Gonorrhea, also known as “The Clap,” is the second most common sexually transmitted and blood-borne infection. It spreads through vaginal, anal and/or oral sex.  Gonorrhea never goes away without treatment.  If left untreated, gonorrhea can cause serious health problems such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), chronic pain and infertility. Gonorrhea can be passed to an infant in the birth canal during delivery, causing severe complications, such as blindness, joint infection, or blood infection.

Symptoms

Symptoms usually occur within 2-7 days after exposure. Some people may show no signs or symptoms or may experience any of the following:

• Pain or burning sensation when urinating
• Pain, itching, bleeding, and mucous discharge of the rectum
• Redness, itching, and discharge of the eyes (for gonorrhea in the eyes)
• Throat infection

People with vaginas may experience the following symptoms:

• Increased vaginal discharge
• Lower back and abdominal pain
• Vaginal bleeding after intercourse or between menstrual periods
• Pain during sex

People with penises may experience the following symptoms:

• Thick, yellow-green discharge from the penis
• Painful or swollen testicles
• Burning or itching at the opening of the penis

A health-care provider tests for chlamydia through a urine test and/or swabbing the affected area. If detected early, antibiotics can treat and cure gonorrhea. See your health-care provider for STBBI testing. A repeat test to ensure the infection has cleared should be performed no earlier than three weeks after you finish your treatment.

Prevention

To reduce your risk of getting gonorrhea, follow these practices:

• Talk about STBBIs and safer sex options with every partner to ensure that you protect one another.
• Use a condom and/or oral dam properly and consistently each time you are sexually active.
• See your healthcare provider or go to a sexual health clinic to be tested for STBBIs if you are sexually active or starting a sexual relationship with a new partner.
• You and your partner should be tested for STBBIs before becoming sexually active and then again in three to six months.
• Post-exposure prophylaxis (doxy-PEP) is a way to help prevent the transmission of gonorrhea for gbMSM (gay/bisexual men who have sex with men) or TGW (transgender women) who may have been exposed to the bacteria through contact with bodily fluids. It involves taking a medication within 24 hours, but no later than 72 hours after sexual activity. For more information on doxy-PEP, check out CATIE: doxy-PEP or talk to your health-care provider.

Services related to this information:

• For information on doxy-PEP: CATIE doxy PEP
• Contact Planned Parenthood — NL Sexual Health Centre at 1-877 NO MYTHS (666-9847) or 709-579-1009
• Contact your Public Health Nurse.
• 811 HealthLine (Newfoundland & Labrador) – Call 811 or 1-888-709-2929 / TTY 1-888-709-3555

Eastern-Urban:

• Contact the Sexual Health Clinic at sexualhealthclinic@easternhealth.ca.
• Contact the community walk-in clinic (Mundy Pond) at 709-777-1706