An Overview of Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a commonly contracted STD in the United States with over 700,000 people currently living with the infection. Gonorrhea is generally asymptomatic; nearly half of those infected are unaware of the disease.
When present, symptoms will occur within ten days after exposure. Symptoms of gonorrhea in men can include discharge, a burning sensation while urinating, and occasionally, pain or swelling around the testicles.
Gonorrhea symptoms in women are often mild and non-specific, commonly mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. Symptoms include unusual vaginal discharge, a burning sensation while urinating, and pain during sex.
Gonorrhea testing involves a painless urine sample in men or a vaginal swab of the infected area in women to detect the disease. The test administered by STDtesting.com, a division of the Institute of Sexual Health, is 99.9% accurate and the most sensitive test available on the market today. Positive results can be detected as early as two to seven days after potential exposure.
Gonorrhea is 100% curable and treated with oral antibiotics if caught early. If left untreated, gonorrhea in women can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility. In men, prolonged exposure to gonorrhea can cause epididymitis, a chronic condition causing pain in the testicles.
