What is it?

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria, “Neisseria gonorrhoeae”.

Gonorrhoea is a common STI. It can affect anyone who is sexually active, but people aged 15–29, MSM and First Nations people living in rural/remote areas make up the majority of new infections.

How can you get it?

Gonorrhoea is transmitted through unprotected vaginal, anal and oral sex (including sharing sex toys) and may result in an infection at any of these sites.

Gonorrhoea may also infect a person’s eye or eyes and is called Gonococcal Conjunctivitis, where the infection is passed to the eyes from the genitals (such as getting semen in the eye, or vaginal fluids on fingers then rubbing your eye).

It can also be passed from mother to baby through the birth canal during delivery.

What are the symptoms?

Many people will not have any symptoms. Over 80% of people with Gonorrhoea will not have any symptoms which is why testing is so important.

If symptoms do develop, they can include:

• unusual vaginal discharge
• thick, yellow or white discharge from the penis
• pain, discomfort or burning sensation when passing urine
• pelvic pain, especially during sex
• pain in the testicles
• irregular bleeding, especially between periods or after sex
• anal discharge and discomfort
• sore, dry throat

Gonococcal conjunctivitis symptoms can include:

• swelling of the inner linings of your eyelids
• watery or thick discharge from your eye
• sensitivity to touch or pressure on your eyes
• fluid buildup around your eyelids
• swelling of the lymph nodes near your eyes

How do I get tested?

Testing is quick and easy. It can be done by a urine test or a self administered swab from the contact site. You can request testing through QuIHN’s Nurse Practitioners, GP or Sexual Health Clinic. If you’re too nervous to see someone in person, you can request a urine testing form from 13 HEALTH Webtest.

If you’re being tested for Gonorrhoea, it’s also a great opportunity to be screened for other STI’s.

Don’t wait for symptoms before getting tested as many STI’s are “silent” and won’t have any.

What is the treatment?

Intramuscular injection of Ceftriaxone (an injectable antibiotic) plus Azithromycin (Macrolide antibiotic) tablets.

It’s important to avoid having sex, even with a condom, until 7 days after treatment is finished and tests show you are clear.

There is no immunity for Gonorrhoea and re-infection can happen.

Partners from the previous 2 months should be notified so they can also be tested. You can let someone know anonymously through https://letthemknow.org.au/ or https://www.thedramadownunder.info/

How can I protect myself?

• always use condoms with a water-based lubricant
• use dental dams for oral sex
• use condoms on sex toys and wash them between partners
• get regular STI testing (every 3-6 months if you have casual or multiple partners, before entering a new monogamous relationship, or every 12 months).

What happens if left untreated?

Long term untreated Gonorrhoea can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and cause infertility for both men and women.

Interesting Facts:

Gonorrhoea cases spiked by 45% across the three-year period – in 2023, there were 30,112 confirmed cases, compared to 20,699 in 2021.

Gonorrhoea has famously been known as The Clap and there’s a number of theories on how it got this name. Our favourite is the treatment theory – One of the early treatments for gonorrhea in males involved clapping both sides of the penis at the same time in an attempt to push the pus and discharge from the urethra. A penis was also sometimes clapped between a hard surface and a book to achieve the same results.

Information sources:
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/gonorrhoea-the-clap
https://www.healthline.com/health/eye-health/gonococcal-conjunctivitis#treatment
https://sti.guidelines.org.au/sexually-transmissible-infections/gonorrhoea/
https://www.qld.gov.au/health/staying-healthy/sexual-health/chlamydia-test/about-13health-webtest