What is gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is an infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is the second most common bacterial sexually transmitted and blood-borne infection (STBBIs) in Quebec. You can contract it more than once in a lifetime.

Gonorrhea can be transmitted through ‌oral, anal, and vaginal sex, non-penetrative genital contact, and sharing sex toys. There is also a risk of transmission during childbirth.

Often, there are no symptoms. A person can therefore be infected without knowing it.

Possible symptoms

• Throat: inflammation of the throat (pharyngitis).

• Genitals: genital itching, abnormal genital discharge, abnormal vaginal bleeding, pain during urination and sexual activity, rectal itching, burning, and discharge, and testicular pain and swelling.

Persistent abdominal pain, pain and infection in the testicles or prostate, infertility in people with uteruses, and risk of ectopic pregnancy. If left untreated, gonorrhea can also infect the bloodstream and cause joint damage (septic arthritis) or even meningitis.

Screening for gonorrhea involves taking a urine sample or a sample from sites exposed during sexual activity (anus, vagina, or throat).

Treating gonorrhea is easy (a course of antibiotics, the duration of which varies according to the site of infection) and is covered by RAMQ for the infected person and their partners.