Overview
In this section you will get an overview of the condition and its relevance to your health.
Gonorrhea — colloquially also known as "the clap" — is one of the oldest known sexually transmitted diseases and remains very widespread worldwide. It is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Many infections initially present with few symptoms or go unnoticed, particularly in women. However, untreated gonorrhea can lead to serious health complications, such as infertility or chronic inflammation.
The good news: Gonorrhea is fundamentally highly treatable. However, due to increasing antibiotic resistance, guideline-based therapy is particularly important — including after medical review as part of an online consultation.
What is it?
Here you will learn what medically characterizes this condition and how it is defined.
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection of the mucous membranes that primarily affects the urogenital tract. However, infections of the throat, rectum, or eyes are also possible.
The responsible bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae preferentially infects mucosal cells and causes purulent inflammation there. The incubation period is usually 2 to 7 days.
Particularly problematic is the increasing resistance of the pathogen to many antibiotics, making correct treatment crucial.
Causes
The following information explains which factors can contribute to the development of this condition.
The cause of gonorrhea is the transmission of Neisseria gonorrhoeae during sexual contact.
Transmission routes include:
- Unprotected vaginal intercourse
- Unprotected anal intercourse
- Unprotected oral sex
Risk factors include:
- Frequently changing sexual partners
- Not using condoms
- Previous or concurrent sexually transmitted infections
Transmission is also possible when the partner shows no symptoms.
Symptoms
This section describes the typical signs and symptoms you should watch for.
The symptoms of gonorrhea differ depending on sex and site of infection.
Typical symptoms in men:
- Purulent, yellow-green discharge from the urethra
- Burning during urination
- Pain or swelling of the testicles
Typical symptoms in women:
- Increased or purulent discharge
- Burning during urination
- Lower abdominal pain
- Intermenstrual bleeding
Other possible symptoms:
- Sore throat with pharyngeal involvement
- Pain or discharge from the anus
Warning signs include fever, severe pain, or failure to improve.
Diagnosis
Below you will learn how this condition is detected through medical examinations.
The diagnosis of gonorrhea is made through direct pathogen detection.
Methods used include:
- PCR tests from urine or swabs
- Culture for resistance testing
Resistance testing is becoming increasingly important to select the most effective therapy.
As part of an online consultation, the indication for testing can be assessed and appropriate diagnostics arranged.
Treatment
Here the available therapy options and their modes of action are explained.
Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics according to current guidelines.
Ceftriaxone is the first-line treatment and is administered as a single injection. It is reliably effective against most gonococcal strains.
Azithromycin was previously commonly used in combination but is now used more selectively due to resistance development.
Important notes:
- Therapy must be carried out consistently.
- Sexual partners should be tested and treated as well.
- A follow-up examination is usually required after treatment.
Inadequate or incorrect therapy promotes resistance development.
Available medications
Various prescription medications are available for treatment. Click on a medication to learn more about its effects, dosage and side effects.
Prevention
This section provides guidance on prevention and reducing risk factors.
The most important protection against gonorrhea is the consistent use of condoms.
Regular testing with changing sexual partners helps detect infections early.
Open communication with sexual partners and complete treatment of all parties involved prevent reinfection.
FAQ
Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions on this topic.
Would you like a medical assessment?
Fill out the medical questionnaire. A licensed doctor will review your information and recommend a suitable therapy if appropriate.
Important notice
This content is for general information only. In case of severe pain, shortness of breath, impaired consciousness, fever > 39°C or rapidly worsening symptoms, please seek immediate medical help ().
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