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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
Signs and symptoms of gonorrhea that affects the urethra in men include:
- Painful urination
- Pus-like discharge from the tip of the penis
- Pain or swelling in one testicle
Signs and symptoms of gonorrhea that affects the cervix or urethra in women include:
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Painful urination
- Vaginal bleeding between periods, such as after vaginal intercourse
- Abdominal pain
- Pelvic pain
Signs and symptoms of gonorrhea that affects the rectum include:
- Anal itching
- Pus-like discharge from the rectum
- Spots of bright red blood on toilet tissue
- Straining to have a bowel movement
Signs and symptoms of gonorrhea that affects the eye include:
- Eye pain
- Pus-like discharge from the eye
- Sensitivity to light
Signs and symptoms of gonorrhea that affects the throat include:
- Sore throat
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
When to see your doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any troubling signs or symptoms, such as a burning sensation when you urinate or a pus-like discharge from your penis, vagina or rectum.
Also make an appointment with your doctor if your partner has been diagnosed with gonorrhea. You may not experience signs or symptoms that prompt you to seek medical attention. But without treatment, you can reinfect your partner even after he or she has been treated for gonorrhea.
- Handsfield HH, et al. Neisseria gonorrhoeae. In: Mandell GL, et al. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's: Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone; 2005:2514..
- Gonorrhea - CDC fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/STDFact-gonorrhea.htm. Accessed Nov. 11, 2008.
- del Rio C, et al. Update to CDC's "Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2006:" Fluoroquinolones no longer recommended for treatment of gonococcal infections. Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report. 2007;56:332.
- Swygard H, et al. Patient information: Gonorrhea. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed Nov. 19, 2008.
- Workowski KA, et al. Emerging antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Urgent need to strengthen prevention strategies. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2008;148:606.
- Holder NA. Gonococcal infections. Pediatrics in Review. 2008;29:228.
- Screening for gonorrhea: Recommendation statement. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf05/gonorrhea/gonrs.htm. Accessed Nov. 24, 2008.
