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Onondaga County

Health

Gonorrhea

What is Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria. Gonorrhea infects the urethra in all individuals and for females infects the cervix, uterus, and the fallopian tubes. Gonorrhea can also infect the mucous membrane of the mouth, throat, eyes, and rectum.

Gonorrhea is spread by having anal, oral, or vaginal (front hole) sex or sharing sex toys with someone who already has chlamydia. Always using sexual health supplies like condoms, lubricant and oral dams is the best way to protect from STI’s. Gonorrhea can also be spread from mother to baby during childbirth.

Individuals having anal, oral, or vaginal (front hole) sex should be getting tested. Click here for Sexual Wellness Center hours.

What are the symptoms of gonorrhea?

When people have gonorrhea, they may have these symptoms. Some individuals with Gonorrhea have no signs or symptoms so anyone that is having unprotected sex (sex without a condom or lubricant) should get tested.

  • Pain or burning when peeing
  • White, yellow, green colored discharge from the urethra (pee hole)
  • More than usual vaginal discharge (usually with a bad odor)
  • Bleeding between periods
  • Irritation, itching, or discharge from the anus
  • Pain in the abdomen or pelvic area (sometimes with nausea too)

How getting tested works

At the Sexual Wellness Center Center, individuals will be asked to urinate (pee) in a cup. A nurse will also take a swab (or individuals can self-swab) a sample from the vagina (front hole), penis, throat, or anus (depending on what sexual activities someone has participated in). The results are available in two to five days.

Does gonorrhea affect pregnant individuals and their baby?

If an individual is pregnant and has gonorrhea, baby could be infected during childbirth. Gonorrhea infections in babies can cause blindness, joint infection, and/or life-threatening blood infection. Pregnant individuals, must get tested for gonorrhea. Pregnant females who have gonorrhea and get medicine right away and it will reduce the chances of negative birth outcomes.

Clinic Location and Hours

For more information about gonorrhea visit https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/gonorrhoea-(neisseria-gonorrhoeae-infection)