Gonorrhea SARAH LANGE NICK LETT ANDREA LEWIS WILLIAM LEWIS MELISSA LIVERMORE

Definition A Sexually Transmitted Disease that infects the mucous membranes of the genital tract and urethra Named by the Greek physician Galen and is thought to have also been known by the ancient Chinese and Egyptians

In Men, begins as infection within the urethra In women, most often infects the cervix Can also infect the eyes –In adults, indirect contact of genitals and eyes during sex can cause infection –Newborns can become infected during vaginal birth with an infected mother

Caused by the Bacteria known as Gonococcus (Neisseris gonorrhoeae) –Only able to survive and multiply apart from a host in laboratory conditions

Symptoms in Women Symptoms are often mild, and many have none at all Sometimes mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection Even if there are no symptoms, there is still a risk of developing Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) if untreated

Symptoms include: Painful urination –Burning sensation Increased vaginal discharge –Vaginal bleeding between periods –Yellowish discharge Cramps Vomiting Fever

Symptoms in Men Men have symptoms more often than women Usually symptoms appear two to five days after infection –Can take as long as 30 days for symptoms to appear

Symptoms include: Burning sensation when urinating White, yellow, or green discharge from urethra Painful and swollen testicles

Rectal infections Symptoms in both men and women include: –Discharge –Itching –Bleeding –soreness There may also be no symptoms Can be infected for several months without showing symptoms

Diagnosing One or more of three tests are commonly used to diagnose: –Gram Staining Test –Culture Test –Nucleic Acid Amplification Test

Gram Staining Test Discharge from the penis or cervix is smeared onto a slide that contains dye Microscope is used to identify the gonococcus bacteria Results are usually available within minuets Accurate for men but only 50% accurate in women

Culture Test Sample of discharge is taken by swabbing site of infection Sample placed on a culture plate and incubated for hours More accurate for women than gram staining test –90% detection rate Can be used to detect gonorrhea in the throat and drug-resistant strains

Nucleic Acid Amplification Test New test that detects bacteria by identifying the bacterial DNA Uses a urine sample or a sample of discharge Can also detect Chlamydia Most accurate for both men and women, but has a limited availability

Treatment Recommended for those who have had sex with an infected partner in the last 60 days and for newborns of infected mothers Often treated with the antibiotics: –Cefixime –Ceftnaxone –Ciprofloxacin –Ofloxacin –Tetiacycline

Gonorrhea and Chlamydia often infect people simultaneously, in which case doctors prescribe these antibiotics which are effective cures of both: –Atithromycin –Ceftnaxone –Doxycycline

If Untreated in Females Develops into Pelvic Inflammatory Disease –Symptoms include: Abscesses Scar tissue formation in fallopian tubes Embryo can implant in tubes, causing miscarriage or death of mother

If Untreated in Males Can develop into –Arthritis –Inflammation of testicles –Skin problems –Swelling of genitals Can spread into bloodstream Swollen Testicles

Prevention Abstinence Monogamous relationship with a tested partner Condoms only reduce risk with an infected partner Those who are diagnosed should contact all partners within past 6 months to prevent further spreading

Bibliography Disease. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Information to Live by: Gonorrhea. Copyright 2001,American Social Health Association Gonorrhea. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Gonorrhea. Copyright 2004, eMedicine.com, Inc. Gonorrhea. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. National Institutes of Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources Gonorrhea. Copyright © Medical Network Inc. Gonorrhea. Center for Disease Control Norris, Teresa. AHealthyMe.com. copyright Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Inc. Sexually Transmitted Disease. Encyclopædia Britannica