What causes gonorrhoea and how can I avoid catching it?
Gonorrhoea is passed on through vaginal, anal and oral sex, though sometimes it only takes physical contact to spread. Gonorrhoea can be passed on to a newborn from an infected mother during delivery, causing eye infections in the baby, which could lead to blindness. Like most sexually transmitted diseases, gonorrhoea can be avoided by a consistent and correct use of condoms during sexual activity. What are the signs or symptoms of gonorrhoea? The early symptoms of gonorrhoea are often mild, and many women who are infected will have no symptoms. The symptoms of infection may show up at anytime between 1 and 14 days after exposure. Symptoms to look out for include: In women: • Pain or burning sensation on urinating. • A change in vaginal discharge. This may be more yellow or bloody and can have a strong smell. • Abdominal pain. • Irritation or discharge from the anus. In men the symptoms are more noticeable and include: • Discharge from the penis. • Inflammation or dull pain in the test
