Overview

Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that is spread through sexual contact. It's found most often in the genital area, but it can also infect other areas of your body, such as the rectum and the throat. It can spread from one partner to another during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

Some people who have gonorrhea get symptoms within a few days after infection. But some people have no symptoms. Even if you don't have symptoms, you can still infect your sex partners.

Treatment is important. If gonorrhea isn't treated, it can spread to other parts of your body. And if you are not treated, you will infect everyone you have sex with.

It's easy to get gonorrhea again. Condoms can help prevent infections. Not having sex is the best way to prevent any sexually transmitted infection.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• Your doctor probably gave you a shot of antibiotics. If your doctor prescribed antibiotic pills, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
• Do not have sexual contact with anyone while you are being treated. If your treatment was a single dose of antibiotics, wait at least 7 days after taking the dose before you have any sexual contact. Even if you use a condom, you may pass the infection back and forth.
• Wash your hands if you touch an area of gonorrhea infection. This will help prevent spreading the infection to other parts of your body or to other people.
• Tell your sex partner or partners that you have gonorrhea. They should get treated, whether or not they have symptoms of infection.
• Talk to your doctor about being tested again for gonorrhea in 3 months.