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Notifiable Diseases On-Line

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Resistance to antibiotics has been increasing. Females are disproportionately affected by the complications of this infection: untreated infection in females may lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which in turn may cause tubal infertility, chronic pelvic pain and life-threatening ectopic pregnancy. In either sex, rectal and pharyngeal infections can occur, and extension from the genital sites can lead to disseminated gonococcal infection. Infants born to infected mothers may develop sight-threatening eye infections, scalp abscesses, or disseminated gonococcal infections. Genital gonococcal infection increases the risk of HIV. The majority of infected females do not have symptoms, whereas the majority of infected males do. Asymptomatic carriers act as a "silent" reservoir for the spread of this infection. However, the infection can be easily treated with an appropriate antibiotic. Co-infection with Chlamydia trachomatis is common, and concurrent treatment for chlamydia is recommended.

GONORRHEA

AGENT OF DISEASE

Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTION

Occurrence is worldwide. The estimated annual incidence in 1995 was 62 million; the greatest number was in Asia, followed by subSaharan Africa. Resistance to antibiotics has been increasing.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms usually appear 2-7 days after infection. In males, they include purulent discharge from the penis and pain on urination; in females, there is purulent genital discharge, abdominal or pelvic pain, burning on urination, and abnormal vaginal bleeding. Females are disproportionately affected by the complications of this infection. Untreated infection in females may lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, which in turn may cause tubal infertility, chronic pelvic pain and life-threatening ectopic pregnancy. In either sex, rectal and pharyngeal infections can occur, and extension from the genital sites can lead to disseminated gonococcal infection. Infants born to infected mothers may develop sight-threatening eye infections, scalp abscesses, or disseminated gonococcal infections. Genital gonococcal infection increases the risk of HIV. The majority of infected females do not have symptoms, whereas the majority of infected males do. These asymptomatic carriers act as a "silent" reservoir for the spread of this infection. However, the infection can be easily treated with an appropriate antibiotic. Co-infection with Chlamydia trachomatis is common, and concurrent treatment for chlamydia is recommended.

PERIOD OF COMMUNICABILITY

This may extend for months in untreated individuals.

HOW IT IS TRANSMITTED

Gonorrhea is transmitted through direct sexual contact with an infected individual. It can also be transmitted from the genital tract of infected mothers to their newborns.


PREVENTION/CONTROL

  • Routine prenatal screening for gonorrhea and appropriate management of this infection in pregnant women
  • Instillation of an effective eye preparation in all newborns at birth to prevent gonococcal eye infection
  • Early diagnosis and treatment
  • Partner notification

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Last Updated: 2003-12-11
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