Gonococcus is the most common infectious agent. Gonorrhea is called the most "popular" sexually transmitted disease in our time. The origins of the disease come to us from biblical times. Hippocrates in his writings described a disease with similar symptoms.
Infection
Gonorrhea (gonorrhea) is a disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This bacterium is found only in humans. In 90% of cases, infection occurs through sexual contact, in 10% - contact household (towel, underwear), although this is rare because a harmful microorganism can die when it is outside the human body, under the influence of sunlight, when treated with antiseptic agents.
The probability of infection with unprotected intercourse reaches 70% if the partner is infected. A sufficiently high percentage of infection with gonococcal infection in comparison with other sexually transmitted diseases. The infection mainly affects the mucous membranes of the genitourinary system.
Symptoms
Gonorrhea smears, as a rule, are prescribed by the doctor when the patient is contacted. Most often, obvious symptoms of the presence of a gonococcal infection can make you see a doctor:
- pain during intercourse;
- purulent discharge;
- lower abdominal pain;
- dysuria;
- the presence of an unpleasant odor.
Having become infected, the woman feels a burning sensation and pain during urination, while they become frequent and rather painful. If you do not treat the infection, it can cause a serious illness - infertility, both female and male. In men, gonorrhea causes purulent urethritis. If the disease progresses, it is fraught with additional diseases, such as prostatitis.
If the infection has become chronic, it is difficult to diagnose. In 80% of cases, the disease is asymptomatic, or they may be minimal.
The incubation period of the disease lasts from 3 to 15 days.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases involves many methods and various methods for detecting infection:
- Examination of the genitals by a doctor.
- Bacterioscopy (a method of bacteriological research in order to isolate the causative agent of gonorrhea).
- Microbiological culture with the determination of sensitivity to antimicrobial agents.
- Smear microscopy.
- Determination of infection by PCR (polymer chain reaction).
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs.
Gonorrhea smears, indications for smear:
- infertility;
- spontaneous abortion;
- chronic urogenital infections;
- acute inflammation;
- contact with a partner infected with the infection.
Preparation
Preparation before the smear:
- exclude sexual intercourse 1-2 days before the smear;
- Do not use alkaline means for intimate hygiene 1 day before and immediately on the day the test is taken;
- You can wash yourself with warm, clean water;
- Do not use synthetic wipes;
- Do not douche or use vaginal suppositories;
- Do not urinate for 2-3 hours before taking a smear.
Gonorrhea smears do not give up during menstruation. It is better to take an analysis 2-3 days after the end of menstruation or before the menstrual cycle begins.
How is a smear taken
A bacteriological study of a stained smear on the flora is taken by a gynecologist from three locations:
For research, a small amount of mucus is taken from the above localizations.
Just before this, the doctor inserts a mirror into the vagina to push its walls apart. The size of the mirror is selected for each patient individually. This procedure is unpleasant, and in order to experience a minimum of sensations, the patient must relax the muscles and breathe deeply and evenly.
The biomaterial is taken with a special sterile probe and applied to a special glass. After that, the glass is dried at room temperature and sent to the laboratory for research. In the laboratory, glass with smears is stained and examined under a microscope. The results of the smear are usually prepared within 2-3 days after the test.
Immediately after the smear is given, a woman can feel discomfort in the lower abdomen, pain and observe spotting. This isn’t scary; symptoms usually go away after a couple of hours.
Where to pass a smear
When signs of infection appear, a woman may incorrectly assess the presence of the disease. She can easily take this for a thrush, and a burning sensation when urinating is a cystitis. Often a girl finds out that she is infected when gonorrhea is detected in her partner. Therefore, it is important to contact the gynecologist in time and pass the necessary tests.
For examination, consultation and delivery of smears, you can go to the venereological dispensary at the place of residence. But there is another way.
An analysis for gonorrhea is possible at any antenatal clinic. A gynecologist performs an examination and, if necessary, may prescribe additional studies, such as colposcopy, oncocytology or additional tests to detect infections.
Men can take an analysis when contacting a venereologist, a urologist, in any paid laboratory or in a skin and venereologic dispensary.
Dermatovenerologic dispensary provides a full range of services for patients. Most of them can be obtained free of charge under the compulsory medical insurance policy.
Result
Decoding of a smear for gonorrhea is carried out by a venereologist. The analysis will reflect whether gonococcus is detected or not. In some cases, it is written about the presence (or not) of gram-negative diplococci, this is also evidence of the presence of gonococcal infection.
You should not interpret the result of the smear yourself, it is recommended to contact a specialist for competent interpretation, interpretation of analyzes and making an accurate diagnosis.
Conclusion
Gonorrhea smears are important to take regularly, even in the absence of symptoms, as gonorrhea and many other infectious diseases can be asymptomatic.
Regular examinations and preventive laboratory diagnostics do not take much time, but thanks to them you can not only identify a disease in time and start treatment, but also eliminate the risk of its occurrence.