For Teens: Understanding Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease infection (STI). It is also called a sexually transmitted disease or STD that spreads when body fluids are passed during sex. Infections can occur in the genitals (vaginal sex), anus (anal sex), and throat (oral sex). It's very common in teenagers who are age 15 and older. Symptoms may be mild, or really painful. Gonorrhea can be cured, but early treatment is important. Otherwise, it can lead to sterility. This can prevent you from being able to have kids.
What to Look For
Signs of gonorrhea usually appear a few days or weeks after you catch it. Common symptoms include:
- Discharge from the penis, vagina, or rectum.
- Pain or burning during urination.
- A sore throat if it was caught during oral sex.
- Pain in the rectum if gonorrhea was caught during anal sex.
Treatment
Gonorrhea can be treated and cured with antibiotics. To keep from catching it again, your partner must be treated, too. And don’t have sex until you’re told it’s OK.
If You Don’t Get Treated
Gonorrhea can spread through the body and cause swollen and painful joints. It can also scar reproductive organs and cause sterility. Females should look out for symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
What is PID?
PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) is an infection in women. It can cause mild or severe symptoms. These include pain in the lower belly, fever, vaginal discharge, and pain during sex. Over time, PID can damage the reproductive organs and cause sterility.
Tell your partner
It’s important to talk with your partner about STIs and testing. If you don't feel safe talking face-to-face with your partner about testing, send a text or email. Or make a phone call instead. Ask someone for help if you’re not safe.
Also encourage your partner to get treated. Otherwise he or she can pass the disease back to you or on to others. If you have been diagnosed with gonorrhea, talk with your provider about expedited partner therapy (EPT). With EPT, you may be given a prescription or medicines to give to your partner without your partner needing to see a provider. EPT is available in many states but not all. So check with your provider.
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Remember:
- Be sure to finish all medications as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
- Make sure your partner is also treated. Otherwise he or she can pass the disease back to you, to others, or both!
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