Gonorrhoea (male) - Medtick
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Gonorrhoea (male)

What is it?

A sexually transmitted bacterial infection that can lead to infertility if not treated.

  • This bacteria affects urogenital tract and rectum such as well as the pharynx (throat) and conjunctiva (eyes).
  • The symptoms normally occur 2-7 days after exposure to the bacteria.

One in ten infected men and almost half of infected women do not experience any symptoms hence it is important to test if one is at risk.

Sherrard J & Barlow D. Gonorrhoea in men: clinical and diagnostic aspects. Genitourin Med 1996;72(6):422–426. doi: 10.1136/sti.72.6.42
NHS. Gonorrhoea overview. 2018. (accessed September 2020)

Diagnosis test

  • Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT)
  • Exposure to an STI until a reliable test can be undertaken is two weeks.

Male

  • Self-sampled rectal and pharyngeal swabs are recommended in men who have sex with men​.

CEG Guidance on Tests for Sexually Transmitted Infections. British Association for Sexual Health and HIV. 2015.https://www.bashhguidelines.org
/media/1084/sti-testing-tables-2015-dec-update-4.pdf (accessed Feb 2023).

Persons in contact with:

When there is any doubt about the source of the infection, it is common to ask about all partners within the last:

  • 3 months for gonorrhoea
  • 6 months for chlamydia
  • 3 months to several years for syphilis depending on history and stage of infection
  • 3 months to several years for H.I.V depending on history and stage of infection

McClean H, Radcliffe K, Sullivan AK, et al. British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH). BASHH Statement on Partner Notification for Sexually Transmissible Infections. 2012; London: BASHH.

Cause

  • Bacteria: Neisseria gonorrhoea or gonococcus
  • Unprotected sex, vaginal, oral, anal
  • Men who have sex with men
  • Sharing sex toys (not protected via condom or washed properly)
  • Passed from infected mother to baby in womb

Symptoms

  • An unusual discharge from penis (this is normally green or yellow)?
  • Pain when urinating?
  • Swelling at foreskin?
  • Pain or tenderness in testicles or prostate area (rare)?
  • Infection in rectum  causing  pain, discharge or discomfort?
  • Pain in eye and have a sticky discharge?
  • Eye discharge that does not stop even after wiping?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:

This condition can lead to:

Babies:

Eye discharge

  • Gonorrhoea will usually present in the first 5 days of life but may take up to 3 week and can lead to a discharge that keeps on re-occurring and does even after wiping.
  • Chlamydia typically presents between the first 5–14 days of life​ and can lead to long term conjunctivitis.
  • Both can lead to an increase of corneal (eye) perforation, ulceration and scarring and need to be investigated.
  • If not treated this condition can lead to sepsis and meningitis (both are medical emergencies)

Testing

  • If one wants to do a test it is ideal to do it two weeks (unless stated by health professional otherwise) after exposure and if positive, do a re-test in 5– 6 weeks time (unless stated by health professional otherwise) after first test after treatment.
  • Do not have oral, vaginal or anal sex, or use sex toys, until seven days after you and your partner have both finished the treatment and any symptoms have gone.
  • This is to help prevent you being re-infected or passing the infection on to someone else.

H.I.V test

  • An H.I.V test should be considered.

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

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