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Health Information For Teens
Gonorrhea (pronounced: gah-nuh-REE-uh) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
STDs (also called sexually transmitted infections or STIs) are infections that spread through sex (vaginal, oral, or anal). Some STDs can spread through close contact with the genitals or body fluids.
Gonorrhea spreads through sex (vaginal, oral, or anal) with someone who has the infection.
Someone with gonorrhea may have:
Many people with gonorrhea have no symptoms. They can spread the infection to others without knowing it.
A type of
bacteria , Neisseria gonorrhoeae, causes gonorrhea.
To find out if someone has gonorrhea, health care providers do tests on:
Health care providers treat gonorrhea with
antibiotics . Two antibiotics are needed because the gonorrhea germs may not be killed with only one antibiotic. The first antibiotic is given as a shot in the doctor’s office. The second antibiotic is taken by mouth.
All sexual partners from the past 2 months need treatment too, even if they don’t have signs of gonorrhea.
If someone still has symptoms after treatment, they may need treatment with different antibiotics. Or they may have been infected with gonorrhea again.
You should not have sex again until:
People can get gonorrhea again if:
If it’s not treated, gonorrhea can lead to:
The only way to prevent gonorrhea and other STDs is to not have sex (oral, vaginal, or anal). If you decide to have sex, using a latex condom every time can prevent most STDs.
If you are sexually active, get tested for STDs every year (or more often if recommended by their health care provider). This way, you can get treated right away if you get an STD.
Some people – even those who are having sex – are embarrassed by the topic of condoms. Here are some tips for talking about condoms with your partner.
Condoms may be a good birth control option for couples who are responsible enough to use one each time and people who want protection against STDs.
You’ve probably heard lots of discouraging news about sexually transmitted diseases. The good news is that STDs can be prevented. Find out how to protect yourself.
You know you should talk about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) before the action starts. But what if the thought of having “the talk” makes you nervous? These tips can help.
Girls should get their first gynecological checkup between ages 13 and 15. Find out what happens during a yearly gyn visit — and why most girls don’t get internal exams.
Before you consider having sex, you need to know how to protect yourself. Read this article to get the basics on birth control.
Pelvic inflammatory disease, sometimes called PID, is an infection of the fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, or ovaries. Learn how to protect yourself.
People who have STDs might feel apprehensive about discussing their disease with a partner. Here are some tips on talking to a partner when you have an STD.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Early treatment can cure it and prevent long-term problems.