What exactly is gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by bacteria. These bacteria spread through the body fluids associated with sexual activity, producing inflammation in both women and men.

Who is at greatest risk of gonorrhea?

Anyone can contract gonorrhea, but sexually active young people are at greatest risk. Gonorrhea is most prevalent among sexually active people under age 30.

How is the disease spread?

Gonorrhea is usually spread through any kind of sexual contact with an infected person: vaginal, oral or anal. Ejaculation is not necessary to spread gonorrhea. Sometimes it can also be spread through nonsexual contact, such as a pregnant woman transmitting the infection to her baby during childbirth.

Can it be spread through casual contact?

Gonorrhea cannot be spread through kissing, but it can be transmitted when one person touches an infected area on their body and then touches a vulnerable part (such as the eyes) of their own body or someone else's body.

Do the gonorrhea bacteria live long outside the body?

Away from a moist surface, they can live only briefly. They cannot survive on or be transmitted from inanimate objects.

How serious is gonorrhea?

The disease can be cured with antibiotics. However, if not treated early, it can cause problems such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID is a leading cause of infertility in women. In rare cases, gonorrhea infects organs such as the brain and spinal cord (meningitis), heart (endocarditis) or joints (arthritis).

How can the disease be prevented?

The most effective methods of prevention are abstaining from sex and being in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner. If you are not in a monogamous relationship, you can significantly reduce your risk by practicing safe sex. This includes using a condom or dental dam during vaginal, anal and oral sex. Limiting your number of sexual partners and knowing their sexual history is also important.