The first symptoms and signs of gonorrhea often appear quite quickly. After contracting gonorrhea from a carrier of the infection, the infected person enters an incubation period for gonorrhea, the duration of which may vary. In men, the incubation period for gonorrhea is usually from 2 to 5 days; in women - from 5 to 10 days, but the incubation period can be longer - up to a month or even more. The duration of the incubation period depends on the general state of the person’s immunity, concomitant diseases, and medications (in particular, the incubation period of gonorrhea can be prolonged if the patient takes antibiotics for some reason). After the end of the incubation period, a patient with gonorrhea shows the first signs of the disease.

However, before talking about the main symptoms of gonorrhea, it is worth recalling that quite often gonorrhea at an early stage is asymptomatic, especially in women.

According to venereologists, 50-70% of women with gonorrhea do not experience any unpleasant sensations associated with it. Among men, the percentage of patients with asymptomatic gonorrhea is lower than among women. About 1 in 10 men with gonorrhea report no symptoms of the disease. In recent years, according to some data, the incidence of asymptomatic gonorrhea has increased to almost 90%. One of the explanations that doctors give for the increase in the number of cases of low-symptomatic or asymptomatic gonorrhea is that under the influence of antibiotics, which modern people take quite often, the biological properties of gonococci change. Small doses of antibiotics can reduce the activity of gonococci, but do not cure the body of gonorrhea. An asymptomatic carrier of gonorrhea remains infectious to sexual partners, and the disease continues to progress, affecting his body.

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In other cases, after the end of the incubation period, the first signs of an acute form of gonorrhea appear. The course of the disease and its symptoms depend primarily on which organ is affected by gonococci. Since the genitourinary organs are most often the first to be affected, the most common symptom of gonorrhea is gonorrheal urethritis, that is, inflammation of the mucous membrane of the urethra.

As a rule, the first sign of gonorrheal urethritis is a burning sensation and pain in the urethra when urinating. After 1-2 days, the symptoms of the disease sharply intensify: the external opening of the urethra swells, and abundant purulent yellowish-brown discharge with an unpleasant odor appears from the urethra. After some time, the discharge becomes thicker, and the opening of the urethra becomes red, swollen, and small ulcers may appear on it.

In men, discharge, which leaves yellow-green spots on the underwear, can appear spontaneously or when pressing on the head of the penis. The urethral sponges become inflamed and slightly painful. In the absence of competent and adequate treatment, the process spreads to the entire urethra, as well as to the prostate, seminal vesicles and testicles. Urination becomes painful, frequent, and may be difficult. Blood may be present in the urine, and the urine itself becomes cloudy. In some cases, the patient's temperature rises, chills, pain during bowel movements, and pain in the lower abdomen may occur.

Symptoms of gonorrheal urethritis in women are usually less typical and therefore not always correctly assessed. For example, yellowish-white vaginal discharge from a woman is usually associated with candidiasis (thrush); pain when urinating - with cystitis.

If the course of gonorrhea is not asymptomatic, then gonorrhea usually begins with an increased urge to urinate and the appearance of vaginal discharge. Gonorrhea in a woman is a multifocal process, since internal organs are quickly involved in it, the cervix and overlying parts of the genital organs are especially often affected. The cervix may become inflamed and swollen, and mucopurulent or purulent discharge may be observed. Unlike male discharge from the urethra, discharge in women is rarely visible during external examination, so women quite often do not notice the symptoms of gonorrhea and do not consult a doctor. This situation is very dangerous, because advanced gonorrhea in a woman can spread from the cervix to the uterine mucosa, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. This creates a risk of consequences such as ectopic pregnancy, infertility, and complications during childbirth.

If, after infection with gonorrhea from a sick sexual partner, gonococci do not get on the genitals, but in the oral cavity (infection during oral contact), gonorrheal stomatitis and gonorrheal pharyngitis may develop. More often, gonorrheal stomatitis and pharyngitis are observed in men of non-traditional sexual orientation and in women. As a rule, pharyngitis due to gonorrhea is asymptomatic, but sometimes patients complain of excessive salivation and sore throat. Sore throat with gonorrheal pharyngitis is often moderate, but sometimes it can be severe. Swallowing may be difficult; redness of the pharynx and tonsils, the appearance of mucopurulent plaque on them, swelling of the uvula and palatine arches are often observed.

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If the infection occurs during anal contact, then the gonococci enter the rectum, which causes inflammation of the rectum - gonorrheal proctitis. This variant of gonorrhea is also more common in homosexual and bisexual men, as well as women. In women, gonorrheal proctitis can occur not only after anal intercourse, but also as a result of the flow of infected vaginal discharge after traditional sexual intercourse. In this case, gonococci simultaneously affect both the genitourinary tract and the rectum. Gonorrheal proctitis may be asymptomatic, or may be manifested by discharge from the rectum, pain and itching near the anus. Homosexual men sometimes experience a more severe form of gonorrheal proctitis, in which proctoscopy can reveal mucopurulent plaque on the wall of the rectum.

Finally, both men and women can become infected with gonococci in the mucous membrane of the eyes. The resulting severe inflammation with copious purulent discharge is called blenorrhea. In addition, gonorrhea can affect the joints, heart and other organs. In women, purulent inflammation in the abdominal cavity (peritonitis) is possible.

If there is no treatment for gonorrhea or it is carried out incorrectly, then after a few weeks the disease can become chronic. With chronic gonorrhea, there are no acute pains, the symptoms are subtle or not noticeable at all. A characteristic symptom of gonorrhea is the so-called “morning drop syndrome”. It consists in the fact that after a night's sleep, a drop of cloudy liquid containing pus is noticeable at the external opening of the urethra. When gonorrhea becomes chronic, acute pain disappears, discharge from the urethra decreases or stops altogether, and the “morning drop syndrome” persists, indicating that gonorrhea has not disappeared. In addition to the “morning drop syndrome,” chronic gonorrhea may cause discomfort when urinating.

Periods of remission in the chronic form of gonorrhea alternate with periods of exacerbation, which each time lead to even more profound changes in the affected organs and to the further spread of the inflammatory process. The impetus for exacerbation of gonorrhea and the appearance of an ascending process can be hypothermia, and in women, menstruation, childbirth or abortion. Long-term chronic gonorrhea can cause sexual dysfunction, frigidity in women, and infertility.

The chronic form of gonorrhea is much more difficult to treat than the acute form, so we repeat that the earlier treatment for gonorrhea is started, the greater the patient’s chances for a full recovery. It is necessary to consult a doctor at the first symptoms of the disease or even at the first suspicion of the possibility of infection with gonorrhea.

If you notice strange symptoms or, more importantly, feel any “problems” in the genital area, do not hesitate to visit a doctor. Gynecologists, urologists and venereologists at our medical center "EUROMEDPRESTIGE" are always ready to help you be healthy and happy. At your service is not only advisory assistance, a full range of tests, the latest treatment methods, but also the possibility of drug prevention of gonorrhea after unprotected sexual intercourse.

Gonorrhea is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. Around 90 million new cases are diagnosed every year worldwide. The infection is transmitted sexually. It affects both sexes, but in women it is one of the common causes of infertility. Therefore, it is so important to notice the pathology in time and consult a doctor for its treatment.

What is gonorrhea in women?

Gonorrhea (grip) is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection that affects the mucous membranes - moist, soft tissue that is not covered by the outer layer of skin. Anyone can become infected, even if they previously had a similar diagnosis and experience in treating this pathology.

The causative agent of gonorrhea is a gram-negative gonococcus of the genus Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Transmission of bacteria occurs through semen and vaginal secretions. It is impossible to become infected through kissing, hugging, hand contact, sneezing, sharing food, or through a toilet seat.

The gonococcus bacterium consists of two halves facing each other with their concave sides

According to research, there are certain conditions that increase the likelihood of contracting gonorrhea. The risk of disease increases:

• if one of the sexual partners is under 24 years of age;
• when a person interacts with several sexual partners within one year;
• after the fact of unprotected sex;
• if you have been diagnosed with an STD in the past.

Classification

Gonorrhea in some women can be acute and with pronounced symptoms, including various discharges. But this doesn't always happen. Approximately half of the sick (and according to statistics, up to 80%) of the fair sex do not have any external manifestations. In this case, they say that the disease passes in a latent form.

The spread of infection from the bottom up through the mucous membranes, as well as through the lymphatic system, affecting the inner lining of the uterus and its tubes, ovaries and other higher organs is called ascending gonorrhea. This serious complication often causes a woman to become infertile. In addition, having engulfed the bladder, a sexually transmitted infection can reach the kidneys through the ureters.

Bacteria that enter the urethra can travel up the urinary tract to the bladder and even reach the kidneys.

Extensive (disseminated) gonococcal infection occurs when gonorrhea spreads through the bloodstream to organs and tissues other than the genitals, such as joints, skin, heart or kidneys. Treatment of the common form usually requires hospitalization and the use of antibacterial drugs intravenously or intramuscularly.

If inflammation does not go away within a month, it becomes chronic.

Routes of infection

Gonorrhea is an STD, which means it is spread through oral, vaginal or anal sex with a person who carries the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium. The infection is spread through semen and vaginal secretions, but it is important that transmission of the disease does not directly depend on ejaculation.

Infection can affect more than just the genitals, urethra or anus. Although the infection is transmitted through genital secretions, it can infect the eyes, mouth and throat. This can occur, including through the hematogenous route, that is, through the bloodstream.

Gonococci can affect not only the mucous membranes of the genital organs, but also the eyes and oral cavity

According to scientists, women are more likely to become infected with gonorrhea from men than vice versa.

Gonorrhea symptoms

The main symptoms of gonorrhea in women usually appear within one or two weeks after sexual contact with an infected partner. But the incubation period can drag on for several months. You can even become infected from a partner who himself is unaware of his carrier status and does not have any pathological manifestations.

Gonorrhea in women is often asymptomatic. It is not known for certain how common this latent form is; according to some estimates, it is typical for the majority of infected representatives of the fair sex; according to other data, about 40% of women do not feel any symptoms.

The most common symptoms of gonorrhea in women are:

• abnormal vaginal discharge, which may be green, yellow or whitish, with a sticky consistency;
• burning or pain when urinating (dysuria) - this symptom is also common with other STDs, so it is important to get tested;
• burning or itching around or inside the vagina;
• Irregular or painful menstruation, pain can be very intense, and bleeding sometimes occurs between periods;
• pain during intercourse;
• Abdominal pain or fever - both symptoms indicate a more serious complication caused by gonorrhea and should be checked immediately by a doctor;
• swelling of the lymph nodes - noted when they are affected by infection.

Gonorrhea can also infect the anus, causing discharge, bleeding, or rectal pain. In rare cases, gonococcus can enter the bloodstream and infect other parts of the body. So, having infected one or both eyes, the bacterium becomes the cause of:

• purulent discharge;
• conjunctivitis (itching, redness);
• sensitivity to light.

If the throat is infected, the pain will be localized in the larynx area. And damage to the joints is externally manifested by their swelling and local rash.

Photo gallery: different manifestations of gonorrhea in women

Uterine gonorrhea is dangerous for the development of infertility
Gonorrhea of ​​the throat occurs in women 2 times more often than in men Gripper of the eye develops by introducing infection into the conjunctival cavity
Oral gonorrhea is often combined with lesions of the genitourinary system

Diagnostics

The gynecologist performs a physical examination to examine symptoms as well as check for signs of other sexually transmitted diseases. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are very similar and often occur at the same time, so it is important to get tested for both diseases to ensure proper treatment.

Gonorrhea can be diagnosed by several laboratory tests. It can be:

• general blood and urine analysis - in the presence of an inflammatory process, both analyzes will show an increase in the number of leukocytes and ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), protein may additionally be detected in the urine, which may indicate a violation of the kidneys;
• a smear taken for bacterial analysis - for women, this is usually a smear from the cervix, sometimes from the anus or other infected areas.

Gonorrhea smear using a sterile cotton swab is a painless procedure

Taking a bacteriological smear is a painless procedure. The gynecologist swipes a sterile cotton swab several times over the area of ​​infection. Before analysis, local antiseptics should not be used so as not to distort the true picture of the disease. Next, the sample is examined in a microbiological laboratory for the presence of gonococcus.

The bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae is detected in approximately six out of ten cases, so the result is not always reliable. If gonococcus is not detected, the doctor may prescribe a more accurate cultural research method - bacteriological culture of the discharge. You will have to wait about a week for the results, but the accuracy of such an analysis is 95–100%.

In addition to culture, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method is used to diagnose gonorrhea, which is a DNA diagnosis of the pathogen in biological material. Its reliability is about 95%.

Treatment methods

Gonorrhea is curable provided that the patient starts taking appropriate medications on time as prescribed by the doctor.

Grip is not treatable with home remedies or over-the-counter medications.

During treatment and for another week after finishing the medication course, the patient and his sexual partner must abstain from sexual relations. Before resuming them, it is advisable to ensure that there is no infection by taking a control test. Due to the high risk of relapse, the patient is recommended to take the test again 3 months after recovery.

Drug therapy

Because gonorrhea is caused by a bacterial infection, it is treated with antibiotics. Broad-spectrum drugs are usually used:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that uncomplicated gonorrhea be treated only with ceftriaxone, given by injection, in combination with Azithromycin or Doxycycline, both oral medications.

Azithromycin is a semisynthetic broad-spectrum antibiotic

Some studies show that oral Gemifloxacin or Gentamicin injections in combination with Azithromycin tablets are highly effective solutions in the treatment of gonorrhea. The doctor prescribes them to patients who are allergic to cephalosporin antibiotics, such as Ceftriaxone.

It is important to always get an antibiotic prescription based on your specific diagnosis and never take medications intended for someone else. Self-medication can have serious health consequences.

Additional medicines

As an auxiliary therapy in combination with antibacterial drugs, intravaginal suppositories with a local antiseptic effect are also used, aimed at treating possible concomitant urogenital infections (Hexicon, Terzhinan, Betadine).

Very often, gonorrhea in women is combined with other equally serious sexually transmitted diseases. In more than 30% of cases it is chlamydia. In order to get rid of this infection, a woman may be prescribed:

• Ornidazole;
• Tinidazole.

When gonorrhea and candidiasis are combined, antifungal agents are used in addition to the main treatment:

• Ketoconazole.

If there is an exacerbation of genital herpes against the background of gonorrhea, then the following may additionally be prescribed:

• Cycloferon;
• Gerpevir;

The infection should clear up in 1 to 2 weeks. But you should not stop taking antibiotics until the recommended course is completed, even if it seems that the disease has been defeated and the patient feels better. If you do not take the full course of antibiotics, the infection may recur, only in a more drug-resistant form.

Photo gallery: drugs for the treatment of gonorrhea and related infections

Antiseptic drugs, for example, Hexicon, help cure gonorrhea faster
Metronidazole complements the treatment of gonorrhea in the presence of concomitant infections
Acyclovir is prescribed if an exacerbation of genital herpes occurs against the background of gonorrhea
Fluconazole is used if gonorrhea is complicated by candidiasis (thrush)

If the condition does not improve

Antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, called “supergonorrhea,” are quite common today. If symptoms do not stop a few days after the start of therapy, the patient should inform the attending physician.

Certain strains of gonococcus have become resistant to certain antibiotics, including quinolones, penicillins, tetracyclines, and sulfa drugs. In this case, other medications should be selected for treatment.

If necessary, the doctor will select a different antibiotic against a specific strain of gonorrhea. The choice of an alternative drug will be based on numerous factors, including age, medical history, current health status and more.

Physiotherapeutic methods

In cases of latent and chronic disease with no symptoms, it is useful to supplement treatment with antibiotics with physiotherapy. Methods used:

• UHF therapy;
• electrophoresis with medicinal drugs;
• laser and magnetic therapy;
• ultraviolet radiation;
• inductothermy (alternating magnetic field treatment).

If there is any acute inflammation in the body, physiotherapy is contraindicated.

Instillation (drip administration) of medications into the urethra, bladder and vagina is another method of local action that complements the main therapy. Instillation helps restore damaged mucous membranes. The following solutions are used for infusions:

• silver nitrate (0.5%);
• protargol (1–2%).

Surgery

In complex and advanced cases of untreated gonorrhea, conditions such as:

If severe complications occur, urgent surgical intervention is required within 24 hours due to the risk of developing peritonitis - inflammation of the peritoneum, which is a deadly condition. An urgent operation is performed under general anesthesia through an incision in the abdominal wall, during which the purulent cavity is opened and treated, and drains are placed.

Diet food

• fruits (apples, grapes, pineapples);
• berries (blueberries, cranberries);
• watermelon and melon;
• vegetables (cucumbers, pumpkin).

It is beneficial to eat low-fat milk and yogurt - the best natural probiotic.

If you have gonorrhea, it is helpful to eat foods that contain a lot of water.

During the period of illness, an alkaline diet is useful, which is based on a lot of fruits and vegetables with a minimum amount of animal products. It inhibits the development of pathogenic microflora.

Particular attention should be paid to products high in:

• vitamin C - has good antioxidant properties that prevent viral invasion, it is rich in:
  • strawberry;
  • plum;
  • peaches;
  • legumes (beans, peas, soybeans, lentils);
  • radish;
  • eggplant;
  • salad;
  • celery;
  • potato;
  • carrot;
  • corn;
• vitamin A - helps restore the epithelium of the mucous membranes, found in large quantities in foods such as:
  • spinach;
  • basil;
  • cauliflower;
  • cashew nuts;
  • pistachios;
  • avocado;
  • dates;
  • pears.

If there are no contraindications, then consuming garlic and onions, which have a natural antibacterial and immunostimulating effect, is effective.

Foods that should be consumed in moderation or limited:

• lean meat (poultry, fish);
• eggs;
• gluten-containing products, for example, cereals (wheat, barley, rye, oats, millet), as well as baked goods and porridges made from them;
• juices - citrus fruits (lemon, orange, grapefruit) and tomato.

The following food groups are completely excluded during the period of illness:

• alcohol and caffeinated drinks (coffee, tea), as they irritate the bladder and activate inflammation;
• foods high in saturated fats of animal origin (butter, cheese);
• hot spices and dishes, as they aggravate the patient’s condition;
• artificial sweeteners and foods and drinks containing them;
• seafood (sea fish, herring, shrimp, etc.) due to their high protein content, which increases the load on the kidneys.

Traditional recipes for clap

Doctor's prescriptions and mandatory antibacterial therapy can be supplemented with folk remedies for home use. These include:

Before trying any alternative or home treatments for sexually transmitted diseases, it is important to consult your doctor. The above-mentioned remedies are only auxiliary methods that cannot replace antibiotics and medical supervision.

Video: symptoms and treatment of gonorrhea

Prognosis and complications

Gonorrhea does not cause long-term problems if it is treated before any complications occur. The lack of adequate therapy can lead to inflammation of the pelvic organs in women, as well as infections:

• fallopian tubes;
• cervix and body of the uterus;
• abdominal cavity.

Chronic gonorrhea can permanently damage the patient's reproductive system and cause infertility. Scarring caused by inflammation in the pelvis can block the fallopian tube, making it impossible for the embryo to enter the uterus. Damage to the fallopian tubes increases the risk of chronic pelvic pain and ectopic pregnancy, when a fertilized egg implants in the fallopian tube, where the embryo is unable to develop.

Prevention

Prevention consists of taking steps to reduce the risk of contracting gonorrhea or another sexually transmitted infection. Preventing a disease is much easier than treating an infection. For preventive purposes, several basic rules should be followed:

• Avoid sexual intercourse if you have symptoms of gonorrhea or unfinished treatment for the pathology.
• Avoid sex with anyone who has symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease or is at risk of being contagious.
• Do not have more than one sexual partner at the same time. The risk of the disease increases if you have multiple sexual partners.
• Use condoms every time you have sex with a new (non-regular) partner.

Using condoms reduces the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, especially gonorrhea, chlamydia and HIV

It is quite likely that the partner from whom the disease originated will show signs later, which may result in a misunderstanding in what sequence the infection occurred and who became infected from whom.

Gonorrhea, or gonorrhea, is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. The incubation period for gonorrhea varies greatly depending on many circumstances.

The duration of the incubation period depends, in particular, on gender, age, strength of the immune system (including the presence of chronic diseases), and medications taken.

Differences between men and women

First of all, the duration of the incubation period differs significantly between men and women:

1. For men it is half as long, only 2-5 days. In rare cases, the first signs of gonorrhea appear within a few hours after unprotected sexual intercourse.
2. In women, the first manifestations of the disease occur later, 5-10 days (up to 2 weeks) after sex with an infected partner.

The reasons for this are the structural features of the genitourinary system in men and women. Due to these same features, the probability of contracting gonorrhea during a single contact with an infected patient is much higher in women, from 50 to 80%, while in men it is only 30-40%. The reason is obvious: during sexual contact, a woman’s body contains a significantly larger amount of the man’s mucous substance (along with sperm) than vice versa. Accordingly, more gonococci, the causative agents of gonorrhea, also enter. The likelihood of infection in a man increases if a woman has her period (more biological substance is released).

Thus, women are more vulnerable. Despite the fact that 99% of cases of gonorrhea infection are associated with sexual contact, sometimes for infection it is enough that, for example, a woman uses a sponge for washing, previously used by a patient with gonorrhea.

Thus, it is easier for a woman to become infected, and, moreover, the disease will manifest itself later.

Length of incubation period

The weaker the immune system, the shorter the incubation period and the more acute the disease. Here we can talk about the natural decline in immunity with age. In the most difficult cases, there may be no noticeable manifestations of gonorrhea for several months, until the disease progresses to the chronic stage.

Taking antibiotics can also have a noticeable effect on the length of the incubation period. Gonococci are bacteria, so antibiotics and other antibacterial drugs, even those not specifically designed to fight the gonorrhea, can inhibit their development. This will not prevent the disease from occurring, but will noticeably blur the clinical picture. At the very least, signs of the disease may well appear noticeably later.

It should be remembered, however, that gonorrhea itself is one of the diseases that can be contracted many times: lasting immunity is not developed. Therefore, whether someone infected with gonorrhea has been sick before or not does not in any way affect the development of the disease.

The disease manifests itself most quickly if the gonococci get directly onto the mucous membrane (any). But sometimes infection also occurs through minor breaks in the skin, when bacteria enter the bloodstream. In this case, more time will pass from infection to the onset of symptoms: the blood resists pathogens quite effectively.

Although gonorrhea itself is not a particularly dangerous disease, there is a high likelihood of complications (including infertility), so you should consult a doctor at the first suspicion.

In the absence of timely and complete treatment of gonorrhea, the development of acute and chronic inflammatory processes is possible: in men - in the foreskin (balanoposthitis), testicle (epididymitis) - the most common complication, prostate gland (prostatitis), seminal vesicles (vesiculitis), in women inflammation occurs in the cervix, uterus, tubes and ovaries (cervicitis, endometritis, adnexitis, salpingoophoritis). All these diseases can lead to infertility in both women and men, and in men, to impaired potency.

At the same time, the intrauterine device and menstruation increase the risk of inflammatory diseases of the uterus and appendages.

When gonococci spread to other organs, disseminated gonococcal infection occurs. This affects the joints, skin, brain, heart and liver. When gonococci get into the eyes, gonococcal conjunctivitis occurs.

Symptoms of gonorrhea in men

• yellowish-white discharge from the urethra;
• pain when urinating.

Symptoms of gonorrhea in women

• yellowish-white vaginal discharge;
• pain when urinating;
• intermenstrual bleeding;
• lower abdominal pain.

Individuals who practice unconventional sexual relations may experience specific gonococcal lesions of the rectum and pharynx. In rare cases, if the rules of personal hygiene are not observed, a patient suffering from gonorrhea can spread an infection into the eyes with dirty hands - specific eye damage occurs - blenorrhea.

Gonococcal pharyngitis(pharyngeal lesions) are often asymptomatic. Sometimes it manifests itself as a sore throat.

Gonococcal proctitis(rectal lesions) are usually asymptomatic. Possible pain in the rectum, itching and discharge from the rectum. Gonococcal pharyngitis and gonococcal proctitis occur in both men (mainly homosexual and bisexual orientation) and women.

Features of gonorrhea in women

In women, gonorrhea is often asymptomatic. Even if symptoms occur, they are not always correctly assessed. For example, yellowish-white vaginal discharge from a woman is usually associated with candidiasis (thrush); pain when urinating - with cystitis.

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Diagnosis of gonorrhea

Symptoms alone are not enough to diagnose gonorrhea. Confirmation of the diagnosis by laboratory methods is necessary.

Diagnosis of acute gonorrhea in men is usually based on the results of a general smear. For chronic gonorrhea in men, as well as for any form of the disease in women, more accurate research methods are needed - PCR or culture.

If you are cured but your sexual partner is not, you can easily become infected again. It is very important to tell your sexual partners about the disease, even if they are not worried, and to encourage them to get tested and treated.

Incubation period

The incubation period for gonorrhea in men is usually from 2 to 5 days; for women - from 5 to 10 days. But this period can be shortened to 1 day or extended to 2-3 weeks. Within 10-14 days, symptoms may disappear or decrease on their own, which indicates that the disease has become chronic.

As for sexually transmitted diseases, many of them do not appear at first, which makes their diagnosis difficult. The incubation period of gonorrhea can be defined as the time it takes for the infection to show the first symptoms in the infected person. This period can be limited to several days or weeks. During this period of time, the infection practically does not manifest itself in any way and develops covertly. The causative agent of the infection is gram-negative bacteria diplococci - gonococci. They have a pronounced ability to penetrate the tissues of the human body and infect them.

Due to the fact that gonorrhea initially implies the possibility of a long incubation period, the diagnosis of this disease is seriously difficult. This is aggravated by the fact that in women this infection sometimes becomes a latent form of the disease and clinical symptoms may not appear at all, or at least a month passes before they appear. Moreover, during an excessively long incubation period, the course of the disease does not stop and continues to develop, which can lead to pathological damage to organs.

Medicine has long established that gonorrhea (gonorrhoea) is a sexually transmitted disease and is mainly transmitted through sexual contact. However, there are cases of infection not only as a result of sexual intercourse. This can also happen in public places, such as swimming pools, baths, toilets, as well as at the household level. It should be noted that gonococcus bacteria remain viable in the secretions of an infected patient into the external environment for several hours.

Gonorrhea is considered a fairly common and well-studied infectious disease. Indeed, according to statistics from the World Health Organization, more than 200 million people become infected with this disease every year. Due to the fact that no person has innate protection against these bacteria, even after undergoing full treatment there is always a risk of becoming infected again. Therefore, this disease cannot be taken lightly, especially since recent medical practice shows the development of increased resistance in gonococci bacteria to modern medications from the group of antibiotics.

Length of incubation period for gonorrhea

As already noted, the duration of the incubation period for gonorrhea can vary greatly in time. The gender of the infected patient plays a big role in this. Unlike men, in whom the incubation period for gonorrhea lasts 2-5 days, in women it usually ranges from 5 to 10 days, and in some cases 1 month or more. This relationship between the duration of the incubation period and gender is determined by the peculiarities of the anatomical structure of the reproductive organs in people of different sexes.

As for the conventionality of the incubation period in both men and women, this may be due to the presence of certain individual factors affecting the body. Here it is important to take into account the general state of immunity of the infected person, the presence of concomitant diseases, as well as the possible use of antibacterial drugs or antibiotics for any reason. It cannot be ruled out that gonorrhea may go into a latent form (mainly in women), as a result of which a long incubation period will already be a serious complication of the disease.

The incubation period can be significantly influenced by the number of pathogenic bacteria, their pathogenicity, the body’s susceptibility to this infection and the condition of the reproductive system.

Development of gonorrhea during the incubation period

When a person is infected with gonorrhea, the pathogenic bacteria first of all enter the mucous membranes of the human organs. In particular, in men it can be the urethra or the head of the penis, and in women it can be the vagina or cervix. As noted above, the pathogenic bacteria do not reveal themselves until a certain time. However, after entering a favorable environment for themselves, they begin the active process of reproduction, which in the initial stages of the disease gradually leads to the development of an inflammatory process in these organs.

The end of the incubation period of gonorrhea and the first symptoms

With the onset of the first clinical signs of gonorrhea, an infected person becomes classified as sick. The end of the incubation period can be indicated by the appearance of the following symptoms:

• burning sensation and purulent discharge from the genitourinary system;
• swelling of the genital organs;
• urination becomes more frequent and is accompanied by pain;
• there is an increase in the inguinal lymph nodes;
• possible increase in body temperature.

If the disease is not diagnosed in time at the first symptoms and proper treatment is not started, then the patient may experience serious complications with damage to organs located near the source of infection. Considering the ability of gonococcal bacteria to penetrate other organs over time, if the course of treatment is not completed, complications may develop in such organs as:

• prostate;
• epididymis or uterus;
• rectum;
• organs of the lymphatic system.

An important rule for patients with gonorrhea

Due to the fact that gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease and is mainly transmitted sexually, anyone who becomes ill with this disease is obliged to inform their sexual partner about it. Based on medical practice, this rule usually applies to a man, and in most cases it is he who bears increased responsibility to his sexual partner. After all, in women, gonorrhea, the incubation period of which is quite long, may not make itself felt. And since the disease in women tends to pass from the incubation period to a latent form, its untimely treatment can lead to very serious complications. Together with a venereologist, an ill man can quite clearly determine the start time of the incubation period and, based on this, find out which of his partners may be at risk.

Treatment and prevention of gonorrhea

The main and most important condition for successful treatment of gonorrhea is the timely identification of symptoms at an early stage and completion of a course of therapy.

According to medical practice, the main cause of serious complications is usually untimely medical care in treating the disease.

When making a diagnosis it is necessary:

• complete the course of treatment and do not interrupt it;
• abstain from sexual intercourse during the course;
• If symptoms persist or recur after a completed treatment course, you must immediately notify your doctor.

Typically, the same measures are taken to prevent gonorrhea as for all sexually transmitted infections. Prevention of gonorrhea, first of all, includes following a number of simple recommendations, including the following:

• exclusion of casual sexual relations, and if such exists, be sure to use means of protection;
• compliance with personal hygiene rules;
• undergoing periodic medical examinations (especially for women);
• if symptoms of gonorrhea are detected, qualified treatment should not be delayed;
• exclusion of self-treatment due to the possible development of serious pathological complications.

Any disease is easier to prevent than to treat, and gonorrhea is no exception.