One of the common sexually transmitted diseases is gonorrhea, or, as it is also called, gonorrhea. The disease is infectious, affecting the genitourinary organs, rectum, oral cavity and mucous membrane of the eye. The causative agent of this disease is gonococcus. Symptoms of gonorrhea manifest rather quickly. Basically, this disease is transmitted through sexual intercourse, usually random. There are cases of infection in the household way, often through a towel, underwear, washcloth and so on.
After infection in humans, the incubation period usually begins. In men, it usually ranges from two to five days. If women are affected by gonorrhea, the incubation period is from five to ten days. In some cases, it can last up to one month. Its duration is usually affected by human immunity, concomitant diseases, and medication. At the end of the incubation period, the first signs of the disease begin to appear in the infected person.
Symptoms of gonorrhea at an early stage in women are often not manifested. Approximately seventy percent of women do not experience painful or unpleasant sensations.
Recently, the percentage of asymptomatic course of this disease has increased. This is due to the fact that nowadays people often take antibiotics, as a result of which the biological properties of gonococci undergo changes. Taking small doses of antibiotics reduces their activity. However, the body is not cured of the disease. And if the symptoms of gonorrhea are clearly not visible, the disease continues to progress, increasingly affecting the body.
Genitourinary organs, as a rule, suffer in the first place. The most common symptom is gonorrhea urethritis, characterized by inflammation of the mucous urogenital organs. The first sign of the disease is a sensation of pain and burning during urination. After a few days, the symptoms begin to manifest more sharply. Edema of the genitals is observed, purulent discharge appears , which is accompanied by an unpleasant odor. Then, the discharge begins to acquire a thicker consistency, the urethra turns red, ulcers appear.
In men, yellow discharge appears uncontrollably. The opening of the urethra becomes inflamed, and painful sensations arise. If treatment is not started in time, the disease can spread to the prostate, testicles, and seminal vesicles. Urination often and painfully, and can be completely difficult. Urine becomes cloudy, blood appears in it. The temperature may also rise.
Symptoms of gonorrhea in women are not so pronounced, so they are not always regarded correctly. So, for example, yellowish-white discharge is often mistaken for candidiasis (thrush). The pain that occurs when urinating is associated with cystitis. Manifestations are also associated with frequent urination. Gonorrhea in women very quickly affects the internal organs. The main share falls on the cervix. It becomes inflamed and swells, mucopurulent discharge is formed. In women, discharge, unlike men, is rarely seen during external examination. Often, women do not notice the symptoms of the disease and do not immediately consult a doctor. Meanwhile, the advanced form of the disease is gradually moving to the fallopian tubes and ovaries. If treatment is not started on time, then the disease can become chronic, and this leads to an ectopic pregnancy, complications during childbirth or infertility.
Even with the characteristic symptoms present, the diagnosis of gonorrhea is possible only in the laboratory when examining a smear for the presence of gonococci in it.