Most pregnant women are perplexed when the doctor prescribes tests that detect sexually transmitted infections. Do I need to play it safe when everything is in order? Unfortunately, such diseases are a fairly common phenomenon, which negatively affects both women's health and the development of the unborn child.
Let's look at one of these diseases - gonorrhea.
A bit about the disease
Gonorrhea is an infectious disease, the infection of which occurs mainly through sexual contact. This disease is known from ancient times. No wonder it is mentioned in the Bible as "unclean expiration." Indeed, in men, the main symptom of the disease is purulent discharge from the ureter. Symptoms of gonorrhea in women are sometimes completely absent. Without timely treatment, the disease begins to progress, which leads to irreparable consequences that have a negative impact on women's health.
The causative agent of the disease is gonococcus, which is a paired bacterium that looks like coffee beans. The likelihood of infection is the same for oral, normal, and anal intercourse. Oral symptoms resemble a sore throat, and anal infection affects the rectum.
The non-sexual pathway of gonorrhea infection is possible during the birth process or as a result of close contact of the little daughter with a sick mother.
Symptoms of the disease
Signs of gonorrhea in women are frequent urination, itching and burning of the vagina, the presence of purulent discharge from the cervix. Redness and swelling of the genitals is noted.
Also, the disease negatively affects well-being - the temperature rises, there are symptoms of intoxication, nausea, vomiting and loose stools begin . Malfunctions in the menstrual cycle occur. The spread of infection is provoked by abortion, childbirth, menstruation and the introduction of a spiral.
Emerging symptoms of gonorrhea in women oblige for immediate treatment. With untimely access to a doctor, the disease becomes chronic. This circumstance leads to infertility, the formation of adhesions in the pelvis, ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage.
In some cases, a secondary infection develops. In these cases, the symptoms of gonorrhea in women will be as follows: small erosions form in the vagina, purulent discharge appears, often with streaks of blood. There is vulvitis, accompanied by itching and burning of the genitals. Perhaps the development of Bartholint, and as a result, the appearance of a "gonorrheal spot" on the mucous membrane of the larger gland of the vestibule.
How is the treatment going?
The first symptoms of gonorrhea in women can occur at the initial stage of the disease. Therefore, the gynecologist conducts an examination and offers to perform the necessary tests, which confirm the presence of infection.
The main treatment is taking antibiotics. However, in some cases, the pathogen may be monitored for drug resistance. In this case, injections are prescribed to determine the sensitivity to the drug.
In the treatment of the initial stage, a single appointment of an antibacterial drug is used. During treatment, sexual contact and alcohol are excluded. The next stage of treatment is taking eubiotics.
The incubation period of gonorrhea is up to 10 days (sometimes it lasts up to one month) after complete recovery. This is determined by the absence of the pathogen in the analyzes and the complete disappearance of all symptoms.
Preventive measures and timely treatment of gonorrhea will avoid the majority of problems in the future. Personal prevention is the elimination of accidental sexual contact and unprotected sex.