Gonorrhea is a curable bacterial infection. It is extremely common in the United States, second only to Chlamydia in the number of new cases reported each year. Young adults are at greatest risk for the infection, as over 75% of cases occur in 15-24 year olds.

The infection is spread through oral, vaginal or anal sexual contact, and can be transmitted even without ejaculation. Limiting the number of sexual partners and using latex condoms every time sexual contact occurs can significantly reduce the risk of contracting the bacteria.

Within 2-5 days after infection, symptoms usually appear. In some cases, however, it may take as long as thirty days before any symptoms are present.

Women's symptoms are usually mild, and some women experience no symptoms at all. The initial infection can cause bleeding during intercourse, painful urination, and bloody or yellow vaginal discharge. After prolonged infection, symptoms of additional complications like Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) may appear, including fever, vomiting, and cramps or bleeding between menstrual periods.

Men experience symptoms more often, such as cloudy, foul-smelling pus being discharged from the penis and moderate to severe pain during urination. The symptoms may subside without treatment, but that does not mean that the infection is gone.

Treatment should be received in a timely fashion, since numerous permanent complications can occur in as little as one to two weeks. Gonorrhea can spread through the reproductive tract, and to the blood, joints, or brain. It also increases a person’s susceptibility to HIV infection.

In women, Gonorrhea can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). This complication can lead to internal pockets of pus, long-lasting pelvic pain, and damage to the fallopian tubes which can lead to difficult pregnancies and infertility

Men can develop a painful condition of the testicles called epididymitis, which can lead to infertility. Not treating Gonorrhea promptly can also damage the prostate and urethra, making urination difficult.