Gonorrhoea

Description:

It is a bacterial infection.

Cause:

• Intimate genital contact
• Unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex
• Infected fingers to eyes
• Unprotected rimming (mouth to anus contact)
• From an infected mother to her baby at birth

Effects:

• You can pass it on to your sexual partner(s)
• You can pass it on to your baby at birth
• It can cause problems such as pre-term labour and low birth weight
• Other long term complications include pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility

Symptoms:

Women:

• Abnormal vaginal or anal discharge
• Burning or stinging sensation when you pass urine
• Pain during or after sex
• May be bleeding between periods

Men:

• Abnormal discharge from penis
• Burning or stinging sensation when you pass urine

Treatment:

• Antibiotics – for you and your partner(s)

Prevention:

• Don’t have intimate sexual contact

• Protect your sexual health - always use a new condom correctly and put it on before you have sex

(Source: Health Service Executive (HSE), 2007)

HPSC factsheet about Gonorrhoea