GONORRHEA

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea

Introduction

Gonorrhea is a highly contagious sexually transmitted infection (STI) or disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. These bacteria grow in the urethra and in warm, moist parts of the reproductive tract, including the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes of women. The bacteria also can infect the anus, mouth, throat, and eyes. Untreated gonorrhea can cause serious medical complications.

Demographics

For most of the twentieth century gonorrhea was the most common STD worldwide. The incidence of gonorrhea has declined steadily in the developed world since the mid-1970s, reaching an all-time low in 2004. This decline is largely due to increased public awareness of the risks and prevention of STDs such as herpes and HIV/AIDS. However there are still about 200 million new cases of gonorrhea annually throughout the world and gonorrhea rates in certain urban areas of the United States are once again on the rise. Gonorrhea is the second most common reportable disease in the United States. More than 350,000 newly diagnosed cases were reported in 2007. Experts believe that the actual number is much higher since gonorrhea tends to be both under-diagnosed and underreported. (Stillwagon, 2005)

Although gonorrhea affects people of all ages, races, and socioeconomic levels, adolescents and young adults are at the highest risk. More than 80% of cases occur in those aged 15 to 29. Gonorrhea is most common among females aged 15-19 and males aged 20-24. Infection rates are higher in men than in women and highest in men who have sex with other men. African Americans and those living in urban areas and having multiple sex partners are at the greatest risk for infection. (Farmer, 1996)

Description

Commonly called “the clap,” gonorrhea is transmitted through sexual contact, including oral, anal, and vaginal intercourse. The risk of contracting gonorrhea from a single sexual encounter with an infected partner is 60-90%. Gonorrhea also can be spread through contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person. There is some evidence for transmission of gonorrhea among children and from adults to children via unclean hands. However gonorrhea infection in children is considered a warning flag for sexual abuse. (Smith, 2005)

Left untreated, gonorrhea can spread through the bloodstream and infect the reproductive system, joints, heart valves, skin, liver, and brain. As many as 10% of women infected with gonorrhea experience a pregnancy in a fallopian tube (ectopic pregnancy) or become infertile as a result of PID.Gonorrhea also increases the risk of contracting and transmitting HIV/AIDS. Being cured of gonorrhea does not protect a person against re-infection. Pregnant women with untreated gonorrhea are at increased risk for miscarriage, preterm birth, or membranes that rupture prematurely. An infected mother can transmit the disease to her infant as it passes through the birth canal during delivery, causing newborn conjunctivitis—an eye infection that can lead to blindness. The infant also is at risk for joint infection or a life-threatening blood infection. (Adimora, 2005)

Risk factors

Risk factors for gonorrhea are similar to those for other STDs. The primary risk factors are unprotected sex (without a condom) with multiple partners.

Causes and symptoms

Gonnorrhea is caused by the bacterium N. gonor-rhoeae, which is transmitted through sexual contact. It can be transmitted to the eyes by touching an infected organ and then touching the eyes. N. gonorrhoeae cannot survive for any length of time outside of the human ...