How Dangerous is Gonorrhoea? | Symptoms & Complications!

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A highly resistant strain of gonorrhoea was contracted by a UK man after a sexual encounter with a woman in south-east Asia. After several failed attempts, the infection has now been successfully treated with intravenous antibiotics. This is concerning because two similar cases have just been reported in Australia and we except to see more cases of multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea in the future.¹

In light of that, I would like to take this opportunity to talk about the dangers of gonorrhoea and the common symptoms to lookout for this infection. Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a bacterium that can infect both males and females. The reason why it’s so dangerous is because in many cases, there is an absence of symptoms, which ultimately delays treatment. If left untreated, it can lead to severe complications, such as²:

• infertility
• spreading of the infection to other areas of your body
• increased risk of contracting HIV
• complications in babies

Symptoms in Males²

• Painful urination
• Pus-like discharge from the tip of the penis
• Pain or swelling in one testicle

Symptoms in Females²

• Increased vaginal discharge
• Painful urination
• Vaginal bleeding between periods, such as after vaginal intercourse
• Painful intercourse
• Abdominal or pelvic pain

If you’re unsure of your symptoms and whether you should see a doctor, speak to one of our pharmacists for further clarification. It is advisable to take action sooner rather than later. For ongoing health information and updates, follow our Facebook page and our Website!

Published by Nick Ng

References

1. Brinkwire. Warning over new powerful strain of gonorrhoea which man picked up having sex abroad [Internet]. Brinkwire [updated 2018 Apr 22; cited 2018 Apr 24]. Available from:
   http://en.brinkwire.com/279719/warning-over-new-powerful-strain-of-gonorrhoea-which-man-picked-up-having-sex-abroad/
2. Mayo Clinic. Gonorrhoea [Internet]. Mayo Clinic [updated 2018 Feb 6; cited 2018 Apr 24]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gonorrhea/symptoms-causes/syc-20351774?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=abstract&utm_content=Gonorrhea&utm_campaign=Knowledge-panel