Gonorrhea is a very common STD. It is caused by a germ that grows quickly in the warm, moist areas of the body. The most common place it is found is in the |cervix|. It can also occur in the |mouth|, throat, |rectum|, and urinary tract.
How To Get It:
The disease is passed on through sex with an infected person. It is easier to get gonorrhea if a condom is not used.
How It Is Transmitted:
Gonorrhea is transmitted by passing germs (bacteria) from one person to another when having sex.
What It Looks Like - What The Symptoms Are:
Visible signs of gonorrhea usually appear within 2 to 10 days after ~infection~. Men may see a yellowish discharge from the penis and a burning sensation when urinating. Women may see a yellowish discharge from the |vagina| and have a burning sensation when urinating. Later difficulties are |bleeding| between periods, swollen joints, |fever|, or pain in the pelvic area.
How You Get Tested For It:
A health care provider will collect a fluid sample from the penis or |vagina| to be sent to a laboratory for a culture. This will take a few days for the results.
Treatments:
Gonorrhea is treatable and can be cured. ~Antibiotics~, in the form of an injection or pills, will be given to kill the bacteria. Follow the dosing instructions thoroughly.
If Left Untreated:
Would result in serious ~infections~. Women would be extremely vulnerable to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and possible sterility.
