How it manifests itself
The incubation period is usually short - from several days to a week. Further, the picture differs significantly between men and women.
- In men: copious purulent or mucopurulent discharge from the urethra
- Severe pain and burning when urinating
- Redness and swelling of the external urethral opening
- Increased urge
- Pain in the perineum with prostate involvement
- Pain and swelling of the scrotum with involvement of the epididymis
- In women: increased discharge, sometimes purulent
- Discomfort when urinating, pain in the lower abdomen
- Intermenstrual bleeding
- Often - complete absence of symptoms
- If the rectum is affected: itching, discharge, discomfort
- If the pharynx is affected: often asymptomatic, sometimes sore throat
- Gonococcal conjunctivitis after contact with eyes
Why is it dangerous?
- In men: prostatitis, vesiculitis, epididymitis
- Cicatricial stricture of the urethra as a long-term consequence is one of the most serious
- Fertility disorders
- In women: inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs, adhesions, obstruction of the fallopian tubes
- Tubal infertility and ectopic pregnancy
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Complications of pregnancy, infection of a newborn with eye damage
- Disseminated gonococcal infection with damage to joints, skin, rarely the heart and meninges
- Increased risk of HIV infection
Diagnostics
- Microscopy of a smear from the urethra - in men with typical symptoms allows a preliminary diagnosis to be made quickly
- PCR is a highly sensitive method, used for all locations, including the rectum and pharynx
- Antibiotic susceptibility testing—increasingly important due to increasing resistance
- Screening for other STIs: chlamydia, trichomoniasis, syphilis, HIV, hepatitis
- Examination by a urologist or gynecologist
- Ultrasound of the prostate and scrotum for complications
- Examination of all sexual partners for a certain period
An important detail: gonorrhea is very often combined with chlamydia, so examination and often treatment are planned taking into account both infections.
Treatment and the problem of resistance
Gonorrhea is curable, but the approach to its treatment has changed significantly over the past decades precisely because of the resistance of the pathogen.
- Gonococcus has consistently acquired resistance to several groups of antibiotics that were previously effective
- Drugs that were used a few years ago do not work in many cases today
- Treatment regimens are regularly reviewed and should be prescribed by a doctor taking into account current recommendations
- Self-medication with a “proven” drug from a pharmacy is often ineffective and contributes to a further increase in resistance
- If treatment is ineffective, culture is performed to determine sensitivity.
- Simultaneous treatment of all sexual partners is mandatory
- Sexual rest until both partners complete treatment
- Control examination within the time limits established by the doctor
- Treatment of complications and monitoring of the urethra
After treatment
- Control tests at the appointed time - the cure is confirmed in the laboratory, and not by how you feel
- Observing the urine stream: a urethral stricture can form months after gonorrheal urethritis.
- Uroflowmetry when the jet weakens
- Spermogram when planning pregnancy, if there was damage to the epididymis
- HIV testing at regular intervals
- Repeated examination for new unprotected contacts - previous gonorrhea does not provide immunity
Prevention
- A condom for any contact with a new or non-regular partner, including oral and anal
- Examination when changing partners
- Joint examination of a couple
- Immediate treatment when discharge and pain appear, rather than taking an antibiotic at random
- Informing partners when an infection is detected
- Screening for other STIs when gonorrhea is detected
Where to get examined in Tashkent
A laboratory with microscopy, PCR and culture capabilities is needed, as well as a urological examination in case of complications.
In Tashkent, examination and treatment of gonorrhea and its urological consequences, including urethral stricture, are carried out at the UROLOGIC COMPLEX medical center and at the Tashkent Medical Park clinic.
Try to come to an appointment before you start taking any antibiotics: after the first tablet, the pathogen may not be detected, and choosing an accurate treatment will become much more difficult. Clinic contacts are below.
