What is gonorrhea? 
Gonorrhea is an STD that is caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrheae. In women, this infection often causes no symptoms and can therefore often go undiagnosed. They can then unknowingly transmit it to their sexual partners. In contrast, men usually have the symptoms of urethritis, burning on urination, and penile discharge. Gonorrhea can also infect the throat (pharyngitis) and the rectum (proctitis). Proctitis results in diarrhea (frequent small bowel movements) and an anal discharge (drainage from the rectum). Gonorrhea can also cause epididymitis and orchitis. What is more, gonorrhea can cause systemic disease (throughout the body) and most commonly results in swollen and painful joints or skin rash. Many patients with gonorrhea also are infected with Chlamydia.

How is gonorrhea diagnosed and treated?

Gonorrhea is usually diagnosed by a culture from the infected area, such as the urethra, anus, or throat. In patients with systemic gonorrhea with, for example, arthritis or skin involvement, the organism can occasionally be cultured from the blood.

The treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhea affecting the urethra or rectum is usually a single-dose injection of Ceftriaxone 125 mg, or oral doses of cefixime (Suprax) 400 mg, ciprofloxacin (Cipro) 500 mg or ofloxacin (Oflox) 400 mg. Many patients with gonorrhea are simultaneously infected with chlamydia. Patients treated for gonorrhea, therefore, should also be treated for chlamydia with a single dose of azithromycin 1 gram or doxycycline 100 mg twice per day for 7 days, both of which are taken by mouth. Throat infection (pharyngitis) caused by gonorrhea is treated with the same options, except that cefixime (Suprax) is generally not used.

Systemic gonorrheal infections involving the skin and/or joints is generally treated with either daily injections of ceftriaxone 1 gram in the muscle tissue (intramuscularly) or in the vein (intravenously), or cefotaxime or ceftizoxime 1 gram intravenously every 8 hours. If the patient does not need admission to the hospital or is stable enough for discharge, the treatment can be ciprofloxacin 500 mg, ofloxacin 400 mg, or cefixime 400 mg twice per day for 14 days, along with the treatment for chlamydia.

What should a person do if exposed to someone with gonorrhea?

A person who is sexually exposed to an individual that is infected with gonorrhea should seek medical attention. If the last sexual contact was within 60 days of the partner's diagnosis, the person should be treated for both gonorrhea and chlamydia. People whose last sexual contact was more than 60 days before the partner's diagnosis should be evaluated for symptoms and have diagnostic studies performed. Treatment for individuals whose exposure was relatively in the past should be limited to those who have symptoms or positive diagnostic tests.