The bizarre name “runny nose French”, oddly enough, refers not to respiratory diseases, but to sexually transmitted infections. This is the metaphorical name for gonorrhea, a very common sexually transmitted disease. If with a common cold (rhinitis) , mucus flows from the nose, then with gonorrhea, a substance that looks like pus exudes from more intimate parts of the body. Knowing the predisposition of the French to love, inventive people called this venereal disease "French runny nose."
What is gonorrhea?
This is an infection caused by harmful gonococcal bacteria. It affects warm and moist areas of the body, including:
- urethra (a tube into which urine enters from the bladder);
- eyes;
- throat;
- vagina;
- anus;
- female reproductive organs (fallopian tubes, uterus and cervix).
The disease is transmitted from person to person during unprotected traditional, oral or anal sex. Those most at risk are partners who change partners or do not use condoms. Accordingly, abstinence from intimate relationships, monogamy (closeness with a single partner) and the continued use of reliable means of protection are considered the best preventive measures. It is noteworthy that the abuse of alcoholic beverages or narcotic substances, including substances that require intravenous administration, as a rule, leads to promiscuous sexual intercourse, which means an increased risk of infection.
Signs
"Runny nose French" is actually not always characterized by purulent discharge. Some patients find that they have contracted the infection 2-14 days after unprotected sex, while others can live for many years without even knowing about their illness. It is important to remember, however, that even in the absence of typical symptoms, the infected person remains contagious to the rest.
Symptoms in men
The absence of signs of the disease is most common in men. However, in some cases, the following symptoms occur:
- burning or pain during urination;
- purulent discharge from the penis (white, yellow, beige or greenish);
- swelling or redness in the urethra;
- swollen or sore testicles;
- chronic sore throat.
Symptoms in women
Gonorrhea, gonorrhea and some other sexually transmitted diseases in women may have similar symptoms, so it is not possible to differentiate the disease on its own, relying only on one’s own sensations. Moreover: gonorrhea can successfully "disguise itself" as a regular vaginal yeast infection. In order not to confuse the disease and not take unnecessary medications on your own initiative, you should consult a doctor after detecting the following symptoms:
- unusual vaginal discharge;
- pain or burning during urination;
- increased urination;
- a sore throat;
- pain during intercourse;
- sharp pains in the lower abdomen;
- fever.
Diagnostics
Doctors use different methods to clarify the preliminary diagnosis of gonorrhea. This is a study of a sample of vaginal or penile secretions under a microscope or growing a colony of bacteria in special (ideal) conditions. To obtain a sample of the discharge, a standard smear is made from the throat, anus, vagina or tip of the penis. Blood or synovial fluid may also be taken for analysis if the infection has spread to the ligaments.
Complications
In the absence of proper treatment, sexually transmitted diseases can lead to serious complications. "Runny nose French" is no exception to the general rule.
With an advanced disease in women, scarring of the fallopian tubes begins, which subsequently leads to infertility. No less often there is an inflammatory disease of the pelvic organs, causing pain in the lower body, ectopic pregnancy and infertility. If the infected woman is already pregnant, gonorrhea can go to the baby during childbirth.
In men, a “runny nose French” leads to scarring of the urethra and painful abscess inside the penis. If bacteria enter the bloodstream, patients of both sexes can suffer from arthritis, damage to heart valves, inflammation of the lining of the brain or spinal cord. This happens quite rarely, but you should not risk your own health - if you detect symptoms of an ailment, you should consult a doctor.
Treatment
Gonorrhea disease is treated with antibiotics. Recently, however, new strains of bacteria resistant to classical medicines have appeared; in case of inefficiency of conventional drugs, doctors prescribe stronger (and, unfortunately, more expensive) drugs or prescribe certain antibiotics in combination. Ceftriaxone is most commonly used in combination with azithromycin or doxycycline.
Scientists are working on the development of a vaccine against gonorrhea.