What is gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae, spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex without protection. Left untreated, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility, particularly in women.
What are the symptoms of gonorrhea?
In men: – Burning sensation when urinating – Yellow or green discharge from the penis – Testicular pain or swelling
In women (up to half have no noticeable symptoms): – Abnormal vaginal discharge – Burning during urination – Bleeding between periods – Pelvic pain
Rectal and throat infections often cause minimal or no symptoms at all.
How does gonorrhea spread?
Through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected partner, and from mother to baby during childbirth. It doesn’t spread through casual contact, shared towels, or toilet seats.
How is gonorrhea diagnosed?
A urine test or a swab culture/PCR from the exposed site (genital, rectal, or throat) confirms the diagnosis. At Hospital CMQ, results are typically available the same day, with confidential handling throughout.
What is the treatment for gonorrhea?
- A single-dose injectable antibiotic, following current CDC/WHO recommendations, sometimes combined with an oral antibiotic if chlamydia is also present.
- Your sexual partner(s) need treatment too, even without symptoms, to avoid reinfecting each other.
- Avoid sexual activity for 7 days after completing treatment.
Everything under one roof
Testing, diagnosis, treatment, and partner guidance are all handled in a single, confidential visit at any of our 3 locations.
Have symptoms or want confidential testing? Message us on WhatsApp to schedule a same-day appointment.
When should you seek immediate care for gonorrhea?
Seek care right away if you have high fever, severe pelvic pain, or significant testicular pain — these can signal the infection has spread beyond the initial site.
How can gonorrhea be prevented?
- Use condoms consistently for vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
- Get routine STI testing if you have multiple partners or a new partner.
- Tell recent partners if you test positive, so they can get tested too.
Reviewed by: Dra. Itzel Aguayo, General Medicine, and Dr. David Hernández, Internal Medicine, Hospital CMQ. Review date: July 2026. References: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO).