Physical signs
Gonorrhoea, pregnancy and babies
Tests and treatments
Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria 'Neisseria gonorrhoea'. Gonorrhoea is also referred to as 'the clap' and can only be transmitted through sexual intercourse (or oral sex). Gonorrhoea cannot be caught from normal social contact, toilets, swimming pools or spas. Using condoms when having sex with new or different partners helps prevent becoming infected with gonorrhoea.
Physical signs
In women, gonorrhoea infects the
cervix, called 'cervicitis'. Physical signs can develop after 2 to 7 days and can include burning or discomfort when passing urine and an abnormal vaginal discharge (often yellow-green in colour). However, these physical signs can be very mild, or even absent for some time. If gonorrhoea remains untreated, the infection can spread up into the woman's uterus and fallopian tubes (called 'pelvic inflammatory disease' or 'PID').
In men, gonorrhoea infects the
urethra. Physical signs can develop after 2 to 7 days and can include burning or discomfort when passing urine and possibly a discharge from the opening of the penis. However, the physical signs may be very mild, or even absent for some time. If the infection remains untreated, it can spread to the prostrate and testes.
Gonorrhoea can also cause a sore throat if a person becomes infected after oral sex.
Gonorrhoea, pregnancy and babies
Pregnant women infected with gonorrhoea may experience their waters breaking prematurely (before 37 weeks) and/or
premature labour. If gonorrhoea is present during the birth there is a 30 to 47% chance the baby will become infected. The baby can also become infected before the birth if the woman's waters have been broken for more than 24 hours (called 'prolonged rupture of membranes' or PROM'). Gonorrhoea may cause a severe infection of the woman's uterus after the birth.