Health Information and Tools > Patient Care Handouts >  Gonorrhea in Male Teens: Care Instructions
Facebook Tweet Share

Main Content

Gonorrhea in Male Teens: Care Instructions

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.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

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.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

  • You have sudden, severe pain in your belly or pelvis.

Call your doctor or nurse call line now or seek immediate medical care if:

  • You have new belly or pelvic pain.
  • You have a fever.
  • You have a discharge from your penis.
  • You have new or increased burning or pain with urination, or you cannot urinate.
  • You have pain, swelling, or tenderness in your scrotum.
  • You have joint pain.
  • You have pus coming from your eyes.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse call line if:

  • You think you may have been exposed to another STI.
  • Your symptoms get worse or have not improved within 1 week after you start treatment.
  • You have any new symptoms, such as sores, bumps, rashes, blisters, or warts in your genital or anal area.
  • You have a new skin rash.

Where can you learn more?

Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

Enter C034 in the search box to learn more about "Gonorrhea in Male Teens: Care Instructions".

Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.