Gonorrhea Infections example essay topic

Gonorrhea Gonorrhea is a curable, bacterial, sexually transmitted disease caused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoea e (a member of the family Neisseriaceae). Bacteria are introduced during sexual contact. These bacteria can infect the genital tract, the mouth, and the rectum. It attacks the urethra in males, the cervix in females, and the throat. The majority of the organisms belonging to this family are non-pathogenic or commensals, however, gonorrhea is always pathogenic. Gonorrhea's mode of transmission is during sexual intercourse - vaginal, oral, and anal.

People who practice anal intercourse can get gonorrhea of the rectum. Even women who do not engage in anal intercourse can get gonorrhea of the rectum if the bacteria are spread from the vaginal area. Because symptoms are not always present, you may be infected with gonorrhea and not know it. If present, symptoms appear within 2 to 14 days. Fifty percent of people with gonorrhea may show no symptoms. Men are more likely than women to show signs of infection.

Gonorrhea in Men can cause painful urination, creamy or green pus-like penile discharge, and testicular pain. Gonorrhea in Women can cause vaginal discharge that are bloody or yellow, painful urination, bleeding between periods, excessive bleeding during menstrual period, painful intercourse, and lower abdominal pain. Symptoms of rectal infection include discharge, anal itching, and occasional painful bowel movements with fresh blood on the feces. When treated early, there are no long-term consequences of gonorrhea.

Doctors usually prescribe a combination of antibiotics, such as and or, which will treat both diseases. Serious complications can result, however, when left untreated. In untreated gonorrhea infections, the bacteria can spread up into the reproductive tract, or more rarely, can spread through the blood stream and infect the joints, heart valves, or the brain. The most common result of untreated gonorrhea is PID, a serious infection of the female reproductive organs. Gonococcal PID often appears immediately after the menstrual period. PID causes scar tissue to form in the fallopian tubes.

If the tube is only partially scarred, the fertilized egg cannot pass into the uterus. If this happens, the embryo may implant in the tube causing a tubal pregnancy. This serious complication results in a miscarriage and can cause death of the mother. Rarely, untreated gonorrhea can spread through the blood to the joints.

Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotic drugs taken orally or by an injection. All partners must be treated. Treatment during the early stages is usually 100 percent effective. It is important that all of the antibiotics are taken as prescribed, and that the infected people refrain from sexual intercourse during treatment. Proper hand washing is essential. The bacteria can be transferred to the eyes.

You can prevent gonorrhea by using latex condoms correctly and consistently during vaginal or rectal sexual intercourse. This will help reduce gonorrhea and it's complications.