Gonorrhea
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Gonorrhea (also gonorrhea) is amongst
the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the world and is caused
by Gram-negative bacterium Neisseria gonorrhea. The term comes from
Greek γονόρροια (gonorrhea), literally "flow of seed"; in ancient times
it was incorrectly believed that the pus discharge associated with the
disease contained semen.
The first place this bacterium infects is usually the columnar
epithelium of the urethra and end cervix. Non-genital sites in which it
thrives are in the rectum, the or pharynx and the conjunctivae of the
eyes. The vulva and vagina in women are usually spared because they are
lined by stratified epithelial cells—in women the cervix is the usual
first site of infection. Gonorrhea spreads during sexual intercourse.
Infected women also can pass gonorrhea to their newborn infants during
delivery, causing eye infections (conjunctivitis) in their babies (which
if left untreated, can cause blindness). Doctors have often attempted to
treat this immediately by applying small amounts of silver nitrate to
the eyes of all newborn babies. Gonorrhea among females can also be
transmitted from one individual to another via contact to surfaces that
may still be damp from prior contact.
Gonorrhea Overview
The overall rate of gonorrhea is now
increasing, after a steady decline for the past two decades, according
to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Gonorrhea
is the second most commonly reported modifiable disease in the United
States. The CDC estimates that approximately 700,000 new gonorrheal
infections occur yearly in the U.S., only about half of which are
reported to the CDC. . More than 5% of people between the ages of 18 and
35 have an infection with gonorrhea that they do not know about. New
strains are more easily spread and are resisting treatment even with
strong antibiotics.
Infection with gonorrhea is more common in certain groups of people. The
highest reported infection rates occur in the following groups:
Treatment
Gonorrhea can develop into more
serious medical conditions if not treated. You must see a doctor for
treatment.
