Gonorrhea

What is gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can be prevented and cured. You can get this STI from oral, vaginal, or anal sex. Gonorrhea is caused by bacteria which can infect the throat, rectum, and genitals (penis and vagina). Gonorrhea is pronounced gah-nuh-REE-uh.

If gonorrhea is not treated, it can cause serious damage to your health.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Many people with gonorrhea don't have any symptoms or feel sick. But even without symptoms, gonorrhea can spread and cause serious health problems.

Common symptoms include:

  • Flu-like fever, nausea, sore throat
  • Throat infection and swollen glands in the neck
  • Bleeding, itching, or pus from the rectum
  • Painful, frequent urination (peeing)
  • Painful bowel movements (pooping)

Common genital symptoms:

  • Discharge or unusual fluids from the penis, vagina, or rectum
  • Unusual fluid may be yellowish white or greenish white
  • Redness and swelling of the opening of the penis
  • Vaginal spotting or bleeding, between periods or during sex

It is important to tell a health care provider if you have any of these symptoms.

How will I know if I have gonorrhea?

Get tested: If you are sexually active, you should get tested for gonorrhea and other STIs. It is best to get tested before you start having sex with a new partner(s). Your test results are confidential.

Your partner(s) should also get tested before having sex. Don't have sex until you get your test results.

You should also get tested:

  • If you might have been exposed to gonorrhea or another STI, or
  • If you have any signs or symptoms of gonorrhea

3-site testing or multiple-site testing: Gonorrhea can infect the genitals, throat, and rectum. 3-site testing or multiple-site testing is critical to accurately detect STIs. This type of testing screens many areas of the body. It reduces the chances of missed infections, especially when no symptoms are present.

Be sure to get tested in all areas of your body that were involved in sex. This means getting a swab in your throat, rectum, and/or genitals. If only your urine is tested, an infection in another area might be missed.

What if I test positive for gonorrhea?

Get treated: In most cases, gonorrhea is easily cured. A health care provider will order antibiotics for you. Don't have vaginal, anal, and/or oral sex until at least 7 days after you and your partner(s) finish all your medicine. This gives it time to work. It also reduces your risk of getting gonorrhea again. Follow up with a health care provider to make sure that you have been cured.

Talk openly to your sex partner(s): A great starting point is to tell one another if you have an STI.

What causes gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection spread through oral, vaginal, or anal sex. It can affect the genitals, throat, and rectum.

Can gonorrhea cause any other problems if it's not treated?

Yes. If gonorrhea is not treated, it increases the risk of getting other STIs, like HIV, and it can cause permanent damage:

  • Untreated gonorrhea can increase the chances of getting pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This is an infection of the uterus, ovaries, and/or fallopian tubes. PID can make it hard to get pregnant or to carry a baby full term.
  • Untreated gonorrhea can lead to the loss of the ability to make sperm.

What if I am pregnant?

If you are pregnant and have gonorrhea, it is even more important to get treated by a health care provider.

Untreated gonorrhea can be passed to your baby during vaginal delivery and cause serious health problems.

  • Babies are usually treated with an antibiotic soon after birth. If a baby with gonorrhea is not treated, they may become blind.

Is there a cure?

Yes. Gonorrhea can be easily cured with an antibiotic from a health care provider.

If I get gonorrhea, when can I have sex again?

Do not have vaginal, anal, or oral sex until at least 7 days after you and your partner(s) finish all your medicine. This gives it time to work. It also reduces your risk of getting gonorrhea again.

What about my sex partner(s)?

Your sex partner(s) should get tested. If they have gonorrhea, they will need to take medicine to cure it.

What about Expedited Partner Treatment (EPT) for gonorrhea?

If you have been diagnosed with gonorrhea, chlamydia, and/or trichomoniasis, EPT allows health care providers to order or give medicine to you, to give to your sex partner(s). It is a proven way to prevent getting reinfected by making sure your sex partner(s) are also treated. Ask a health care provider if EPT is an option for you and your partner(s).

Can I get gonorrhea again?

Yes. You can get gonorrhea again, even after you receive treatment.

What can I do to reduce my chances of getting gonorrhea?

  • Talk openly to your sex partner(s): A great starting point is discussing if either of you has an STI.
  • Get tested: Before having sex with a new partner, you and your partner can get tested for STIs, including HIV. If you are diagnosed with an STI, get treated. No matter the results, there are sexual health options for you and your partner(s).
  • Use condoms: Use a latex or polyurethane condom every time you have oral, vaginal, or anal sex. This will lower your chances of giving or getting gonorrhea. Using condoms doesn't eliminate the risk of gonorrhea because they are not 100% effective. However, condoms do help prevent the spread of STIs, including HIV.
  • Use dental dams: A dental dam is a thin square of latex or other material. It can be placed over the vagina or anus during oral sex to protect you from STIs.
    • Use Doxy-PEP: This can reduce your chances of getting gonorrhea. You need to take the antibiotic, doxycycline, 24-72 hours after condomless sex. Talk with a health care provider to see if Doxy-PEP is an option for you.
    • If you are pregnant or may be pregnant, you should not take Doxy-PEP to prevent gonorrhea. Doxy-PEP contains the antibiotic, doxycycline (pronounced dock-see-SIGH-clin). It can harm your unborn baby.
  • Avoid having vaginal, oral, or anal sex. This is called abstinence.

Where can I get tested?

To find your local STI clinic, call your local health department or family planning program. Or, visit the Provider Directory.

You can also find a testing center near you at gettested.cdc.gov or by calling the H-Line at 1-800-541-2437.