Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is increasing in New Brunswick. It is caused by bacteria and is easily spread from one person to another by having unprotected vaginal or anal sex with an infected partner. It can also spread through unprotected oral sex and can be passed from mother to child during childbirth. Have you been tested?
It usually takes two to seven days for symptoms to appear. Some people do not have symptoms. If they do appear, symptoms may include:
Females
Males
Transgender and gender-diverse persons
Because transgender people differ in hormone use and history of gender affirming surgical procedures, they should seek treatment if any of the symptoms of infection are present in their current anatomy.
Untreated gonorrhea can result in possible infertility in both males and females. Infection can also spread to other parts of the body, including joints and the bloodstream. This spread can be life-threatening.
In addition, gonorrhea during pregnancy can be passed to the baby in the birth canal during delivery, and can cause blindness, joint infection or a life-threatening blood infection.
You are at higher risk of getting gonorrhea if you:
Contact your local sexual health clinic. Testing for gonorrhea can be done with a urine test or through swabbing: a swab from the cervix (in females) and urethra (in males).
Gonorrhea can be cured. It is treated with an antibiotics. The persons with whom you have had sex with in the last two months must also be tested and treated, whether they have symptoms or not.
It is important to follow your health care provider’s instructions and finish all your prescribed antibiotics, as gonorrhea is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics.
Get tested.