What is Gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea is an STI caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoea or gonococcus. It is otherwise known as ‘the clap’. It is important to get tested for gonorrhoea every three months or when you change sexual partners.

It is particularly common in teenagers and young adults.

How is it Transmitted?

The most common way of people in the UK getting gonorrhoea is through unprotected sex.

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection mainly spread through sex or contact with infected semen or vaginal fluids. This usually happens during sex or sexual contact with someone who is infected. This includes vaginal, anal or oral sex and sharing sex toys with someone who is infected.

You do not have to have penetrative sex to get Gonorrhoea. It can still be caught even without orgasm or ejaculation.

It can infect the cervix, urethra, rectum, and sometimes the throat and eyes.

Pregnant women with Gonorrhoea can pass the infection on to their unborn baby. It is important to receive treatment, as if left, Gonorrhoea can cause permanent blindness in a new-born baby.

It is not passed through spit, kissing, bites, sneezes, unbroken skin, sharing towels, sharing cutlery or using the same toilet.

What are the Symptoms of Gonorrhoea?

Typical symptoms of Gonorrhoea include a thick green or yellow discharge from the penis or vagina, pain when urinating, and bleeding between periods. However, it is possible to have gonorrhoea and have no symptoms.

Gonorrhoea Testing

The only way to find out if you have gonorrhoea is to have a gonorrhoea test. Anyone who thinks they could have gonorrhoea should get tested.

We provide Gonorrhoea testing free of charge to anyone living in the Dudley Borough between the ages of 16 and 25.

We use urine tests for men, and internal swabs for women. Women are asked to use a swab as it will give a more accurate result. You will be asked to collect the samples yourself in the toilet. We will provide you with support and an instruction leaflet to carry out the test.

Treatment for Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea can usually be treated with an antibiotic injection and a single antibiotic tablet. You should not have sex until you have finished treatment.

It is recommended that you attend a follow up appointment to ensure the infection has been thoroughly treated.

Previous and current sexual partners should be informed that they may have caught Gonorrhoea. You can either notify them yourself, or ask for support from the clinic where you received your test. If the clinic notify them, they will keep your information private and confidential.