Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease that is acquired through the exchange of different bodily fluids such as semen, blood, or saliva. It is also known as "the Clap." Gonorrhea is caused by bacteria called Neisseria gonorrheae, which can infect the urethra, cervix, anus, or throat. Majority of the people who get infected with the disease are under 30. In the United States, 75% of gonorrhea cases involve people aged 16 to 30 years old. When properly treated, antibiotics can cure the disease.
Women infected with gonorrhea may exhibit mild or no symptoms that is why it is difficult to diagnose. Also, gonorrhea symptoms in women are often mistaken for a bladder or other bacterial vaginal infection and as many as 50% of women with gonorrhea manifest no symptoms. Men are more likely to exhibit symptoms. Gonorrhea symptoms depend on how you contracted the infection and how long you've had it you may experience symptoms concerning these areas: urethra, cervix, anus or throat.
The signs of the disease usually appear between 2 to 10 days after acquiring the infection, but it can take as long as 30 days before the symptoms appear. Women suffering from gonorrhea may experience frequent and painful urination, as well s bleeding after intercourse. These symptoms are normal especially in the early stages of a cervical infection. Symptoms which occur later on are fever, vomiting, nausea, bloody or yellow vaginal discharge, and bleeding between periods.
Men infected with gonorrhea may feel painful urination, frequent urination, and painful and swollen testicles. These are manifestations of an infection in the urethra. There might also be a white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis. Also, the penis may also look redder and more tender than normal and there may also be swelling of the glands in the groin.
Gonorrhea can also infect the throat and the anus. An oral infection usually brings about a sore throat, and several pus-like materials on the tonsils or on the back of the throat. An anus that is infected may exhibit painful bowel movements, discharge, itching, and bloody stool. Infections to these areas may be transmitted to other parts of the body that is why immediate treatment is very important.
If left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to different serious health complications. In women, the bacteria can easily go from the cervix to the uterus, and to the fallopian tubes which can cause the condition called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Approximately 15% of women who have infected cervix will develop PID. PID can cause infertility because of damaged fallopian tubes. Infected women also have a higher chance of having an ectopic pregnancy, which is very dangerous and life threatening.
Men who are infected and remain untreated may develop epididymitis, which causes pain in the testicles and may result to infertility. If you exhibit any of the gonorrhea symptoms, or think you may have been exposed, it is necessary to get tested for the infection immediately. Fortunately, there are a lot of STD clinics that offer tests and laboratory exams for Gonorrhea. People infected with gonorrhea have a higher chance of contracting Chlamydia or HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

source: http://women-ng..com.ng/