Gonorrhea
When To Call a Doctor
Gonorrhea causes no long-term problems if it is treated early in the course of the infection before any complications develop. Untreated gonorrhea can lead to many complications.
Call your health professional immediately if you have the following symptoms.
In women:
- Sudden, severe pain in the lower abdomen
- Lower abdominal pain with vaginal bleeding or discharge and a fever of 100°F (38°C) or higher
- Urinary burning, frequent urination, or inability to urinate and a fever of 100°F (38°C) or higher
In men:
- Discharge from the penis and a fever of 100°F (38°C) or higher
- Urinary burning, frequent urination, or inability to urinate and a fever of 100°F (38°C) or higher
- Pain, swelling, or tenderness in the scrotum and a fever of 100°F (38°C) or higher
Call your health professional to determine when an evaluation is needed if you have the following symptoms.
In women:
- Vaginal discharge that has become yellowish, thicker, or bad-smelling
- Bleeding between periods that occurs more than once when periods are usually regular
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Bleeding after sexual intercourse
- Sores, bumps, rashes, blisters, or warts on or around the genital or anal area
- Burning, pain, or itching with urination or frequent urination lasting longer than 24 hours
- Pelvic or lower abdominal pain that occurs without a known cause, such as diarrhea or menstrual cramps
- Pinkeye (conjunctivitis)
In men
- Sores, bumps, rashes, blisters, or warts on or around the genital or anal areas
- Burning, pain, or itching with urination or frequent urination lasting longer than 24 hours
- Suspected exposure to a sexually transmitted disease
- Abnormal discharge from the penis
- Pinkeye (conjunctivitis)
Call your health professional or clinic if you have unprotected sex with someone who has, or who you think may have, a sexually transmitted disease.
Watchful Waiting
Watchful waiting is a period of time during which you and your health professional observe your symptoms or condition without using medical treatment. Watchful waiting is not appropriate for a gonorrhea infection. Gonorrhea causes no long-term problems if it is treated early in the course of the infection before any complications develop, but untreated gonorrhea can lead to many complications. Avoid sexual contact until you have been examined by your health professional so that you will not infect someone else.
If you know you have been exposed to gonorrhea, both you and your sex partner(s) must be treated. You need treatment even if you don't have symptoms.
You must notify anyone with whom you have had sex in the 60 days before noticing symptoms or being diagnosed, even if you used condoms during sexual contact. Even if you have not had sex for more than 60 days, your most recent sex partner must be treated.3
If you are unable to contact your sex partners or you are uncomfortable doing so, health departments and sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics can help with this process.
Who To See
Health professionals who can diagnose and treat gonorrhea include:
Low-cost diagnosis and treatment of gonorrhea is usually available at local health departments and family planning clinics, such as Planned Parenthood.
Some people are not comfortable seeing their usual health professional for sexually transmitted disease treatment. Most counties have confidential clinics for diagnosing and treating gonorrhea and other sexually transmitted diseases. See the Other Places to Get Help section of this topic.
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment
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| Author: | Kathe Gallagher, MSW | Last Updated: May 9, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology | |
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