Prevention of gonorrhoea

Medically Reviewed by Dr Sravya, MBBS, MS

Introduction

It’s crucial to remember that some gonorrhoea sufferers may not show any symptoms, a condition known as being asymptomatic. As a result, there is a danger of problems and continued transmission to sexual partners, as well as the illness staying undetected and untreated.

Urine tests, swabs from the afflicted location (urethra, cervix, rectum, or throat), or blood tests can all be used to diagnose gonorrhoea. If you are sexually active, getting tested frequently is essential, especially if you have several sexual partners or participate in unprotected sex.

Gonorrhoea can have major side effects if it is not treated, including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which in women can result in infertility, persistent pelvic discomfort, and ectopic pregnancies. Untreated gonorrhoea in males can cause epididymitis, an inflammation of the epididymis that can affect fertility. Combinations of techniques that promote education, safe sexual behaviour, and prompt medical attention, Prevent Dangerous Sexual Behaviours, Vaccination, Health and hygiene, are used in the prevention of gonorrhoea.

Table of Contents

Gonorrhoea symptoms

1. Men who experience pain or burning when urinating

2. Women may experience extreme pain or burning when urinating.

Spreading of gonorrhoea infection due to:

Unprotected intercourse: Having intercourse without using condoms or dental dams greatly raises the risk of getting gonorrhoea and spreading it to others.
Several Sexual Partners: The chance of contracting the illness rises if you have several sexual partners or have intercourse with someone who has had several partners.
Age: Young people who engage in sexual activity have a higher chance of contracting gonorrhoea, probably as a result of variables including less condom usage and more partner switching.
STI history: People who have had STIs in the past are more likely to develop gonorrhoea.
Inconsistent Testing: Failure to be routinely tested for STIs, such as gonorrhoea, can result in the illness spreading unnoticed and untreated.
Partner with Gonorrhoea: The danger of transmission is greatly increased when sexual contact is had with a partner who already has the disease.

Prevention of gonorrhoea:-

Combinations of techniques that promote education, safe sexual behaviour, and prompt medical attention are used in the prevention of gonorrhoea.

Be Faithful: Avoiding sexual activity or being in a single-gender partnership with a partner who is not affected can both dramatically lower the chance of contracting gonorrhoea. Your chance of contracting the illness decreases as your number of sexual partners increases.
Use Barrier Protection: Using male and female condoms correctly and regularly can significantly lower the risk of gonorrhoea transmission while sexual activity. The use of condoms creates a physical barrier that keeps infectious vaginal secretions away from the user. Using condoms is a most important object in the prevention of gonorrhoea.
Regular STI testing is necessary, especially if you have several sexual partners or participate in high-risk sexual behaviours. This includes testing for gonorrhoea. Early infection detection and prompt treatment are made possible through testing.
Partner Communication: It's essential to have frank discussions with sexual partners regarding their STI status and overall sexual wellness. Everyone's safety can be increased by talking about testing, STI history, and utilising protection.
Vaccination: While there isn't a vaccination particularly for gonorrhoea, immunisations against other STIs such the HPV (Human Papillomavirus) might help lower the risk of some side effects that could make people more vulnerable to infections like gonorrhoea. Using vaccinations is a most important tool in the prevention of gonorrhoea.
Health and hygiene: Good genital hygiene practices and general health can help reduce the risk of STIs. But keep in mind that maintaining basic cleanliness is not enough to protect against gonorrhoea.
Prevent Dangerous Sexual Behaviours: Transmission of gonorrhoea is more likely when high-risk sexual behaviours, such as having several partners or having unprotected intercourse, are practised. Making sensible decisions and abstaining from these actions are crucial.

Treatment:

Antibiotics are used to treat gonorrhoea by killing the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium. Gonorrhoea must be treated very quickly in order to avoid problems and additional sexual partner transmission of the virus.

The predominance of gonorrhoea strains that are resistant to antibiotics, however, means that different locations may have different treatment recommendations. Therefore, it is essential to adhere to the prescriptions and directions provided by regional healthcare organisations while treating gonorrhoea.

1. Dual Therapy:

To increase treatment efficacy and lessen the emergence of antibiotic resistance, the CDC advises combining two different antibiotics. The following is the main dual therapy that is advised for uncomplicated gonorrhoea:

Due to its efficiency against the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria and its capacity to target the infection at various places throughout the body, ceftriaxone is regarded as the main therapy for gonorrhoea.

Azithromycin: Azithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic, is typically ingested once daily. It enhances the effects of ceftriaxone and aids in the improvement of therapeutic results.

Alternative Treatments:

The CDC offers alternative treatment choices based on antibiotic susceptibility testing in situations when ceftriaxone cannot be administered (for example, owing to an allergy). These could include other cephalosporins used with azithromycin, including cefixime.

To avoid reinfection, it is imperative that both sexual partners take therapy at the same time. Every person with gonorrhoea should also be tested for other STIs, and they should let their sexual partners know so that they may be checked as well and treated if required.

People should refrain from sexual activity until they have finished the entire course of antibiotics and have gotten confirmation from their healthcare practitioner that the infection has cleared, in order to ensure the efficacy of treatment and lower the risk of reinfection.

Prevention and control of gonorrhoea:

Adopting numerous techniques to lower the risk of catching and spreading the virus is part of the prevention of gonorrhoea. The following are some crucial precautions:

Abstain from Unprotected Sex: The most effective way to prevent gonorrhoea and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is to abstain from sexual activity or have a mutually monogamous sexual relationship with an uninfected partner. Using condoms or dental dams consistently and correctly during sexual activity can also significantly reduce the risk of transmission.
Regularly Tested: If you're sexually active, especially with multiple partners, it's essential to get tested regularly for gonorrhoea and other STIs. Regular testing can help detect infections early and ensure timely treatment.
Practise Mutual Monogamy: Being in a mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who is also uninfected can reduce the risk of gonorrhoea transmission. Before becoming sexually active with a new partner, it's a good idea for both individuals to get tested for STIs.
Avoid High-Risk Behaviours: Engaging in high-risk sexual behaviours, such as having multiple sexual partners or engaging in unprotected sex, increases the likelihood of contracting and transmitting gonorrhoea.
Communicate with Partners: Open communication with sexual partners about STIs and sexual health is crucial. Encourage partners to get tested. This can be the most important thing that is used in the prevention of gonorrhoea.
Check for Co-illnesses: Since co-infection with gonorrhoea is frequent, it's important to check for other sexually transmitted illnesses, including Chlamydia.
Don't Share Sex Toys: If sex toys are used, make sure they are completely cleaned and disinfected, or put condoms on the devices to stop the transmission of illnesses.
Seek Early Treatment: To avoid problems and additional transmission of gonorrhoea or any other STI, seek quick medical attention and take the recommended medications as directed.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, preventing gonorrhoea is an important public health imperative that requires an all-encompassing strategy. An important principle of prevention is the use of safe sexual practices, such as regular condom use and open conversation with partners. Regular testing, early diagnosis of infection, and partner notification help stop the spread of the disease.

The creation of a gonorrhoea vaccine holds promise for upcoming preventative initiatives as research continues. Campaigns for education and awareness are essential to provide people with information about the risks and protective actions.

The investigation of cutting-edge prevention strategies like PrEP and prudent antibiotic usage also supports the effort being made by everyone to fight this STD. We are able to reduce gonorrhoea’s availability, lessen antibiotic resistance, and protect the sexual health of individuals and communities by attacking the disease from many aspects.