Gonorrhea meaning (what it is, concept and definition)

What is Gonorrhea:

Gonorrhea, also known as gonorrhea, gonorrhea, and gonorrhea, is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae or gonococcus, which affects the mucosa of the genital and urinary tract, and can also affect the ocular conjunctiva, the pharynx and rectum.

It is transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Mere contact with the affected person's vagina, penis, anus or mouth is enough for the contagion to occur.

Gonorrhea is an infection of the membrane that lines the inside of the urethra, rectum, cervix, pharynx, and, in men, the prostate and testicles, which can cause bacteremia. Gonococci multiply rapidly and spread throughout the body until they reach the bloodstream. If the joints are affected, it would be a blenorrhagic rheumatism.

Gonorrhea is considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a public health problem, according to studies by this organism, it is estimated that of the 448 million new cases of curable sexually transmitted diseases, 88 million are linked to gonorrhea, that is, 20%.

Anyone who has unprotected sex can suffer from gonorrhea, hence the importance of requesting a trusted doctor to order the gonorrhea screening test. However, the individual can avoid getting the disease by using condoms in the sexual act.

The word gonorrhea is of Greek origin, gonos means 'sperm', and rheo, which means 'flow', since the expulsion of a vaginal discharge is common in this disease.

Gonorrhea symptoms

The symptoms of the disease usually appear five days after infection.

In the man:

• Burning when urinating. Ejection of a white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis. Irritation in the genital area. Inflammation in the testicles.

In women:

• Increased vaginal discharge. Pain or burning sensation when urinating. Vaginal bleeding between periods.

Of the infection being in the rectum, the symptoms are as follows:

• Pains when defecating, itching, bleeding, secretions.

Gonorrhea diagnosis and treatment

The diagnosis of the disease is made easily, with a swab the mucosa sample of the cervix or the woman's vagina is collected. In the case of men, it can be through a urine sample or with a swab to obtain a mucosa sample from the entrance to the urethra.

For patients who may have the disease elsewhere, a sample is taken from the rectum or throat, and in the case of conjunctivitis, a sample is taken from the eye discharge.

It is important to detect the disease early to avoid long-term complications. Generally, the treatment is fast through the use of antibiotics such as penicillin, ampicillin, magnesium, among others, prescribed by the specialist doctor.