Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoea.
Gonorrhoea can infect both men and women. It can cause infections in the genitals, rectum, and throat.
It is a very common infection, especially among young people between the ages of 15-24 years.
Gonorrhoea can cause very serious complications when not treated, but can be cured with the right medication.
Nearly a quarter of new gonorrhoea cases last year in Malaysia were reported among adolescents aged below 21 at 408 (22.4 per cent) of 1,819 total cases.
Who is susceptible to Gonorrhoea?
Sexually active people of any age or sex can get the infection and spread it to their partners.
You can pass the infection on to your baby during childbirth. You are at risk if you:
- Have unprotected sexual intercourse
- Multiple sexual partners
- Practise MSM
- Underlying HIV infection
Fun Facts:
Gonorrhoea is a bacterial sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is sometimes called “the clap.”
The origin of this nickname is not known, but it can be traced to several words with various meanings, including the French word “clapier” (brothel), the old English word “clappan” (to beat or throb), and others.
During the war, gonorrhoea was seen commonly among American GIs, and doctors at the army camps used a code for the infection as “having the collapse.”
It is thought that the “collapse” eventually became shortened to the “clap.”
How do I know if I have Gonorrhoea?
The initial damage that gonorrhoea causes often goes unnoticed. However, gonorrhoea can lead to serious health complications.
For Women:
Most women with gonorrhoea do not have any symptoms. Even when a woman has symptoms, they are often mild and can be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection.
Women with gonorrhoea are at risk of developing serious complications from the infection, even if they don’t have any symptoms.
Gonorrhoea Symptoms in women can include:
- Painful or burning sensation when urinating
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Intermenstrual bleeding
Gonorrhoea Symptoms in men can include:
Some men with gonorrhoea may have no symptoms at all. However, men who do have symptoms, may have:
- Burning sensation when urinating
- White, yellow, or green discharge from the penis
- Painful or swollen testicles
Rectal Infections:
Rectal infections may either cause no symptoms or cause symptoms in both men and women that may include:
- Discharge
- Anal itching
- Soreness
- Bleeding
- Painful bowel movements
If you notice any of these symptoms or if your partner has STI or symptoms of STI, such as an unusual sore, a smelly discharge, burning when urinating, or bleeding between periods please consult our doctor at Universal Clinic for immediate gonorrhoea treatment in Malaysia to prevent further complication. We provide gonorrhoea treatments to both men and women at our health clinic.
Can Gonorrhoea be cured?
Yes! Gonorrhoea can be cured with the right treatment. It is important that you take all of the medication your doctor prescribes to cure your infection.
Gonorrhoea is curable now, but it’s becoming more resistant to antibiotics.
Some forms of gonorrhoea that have developed a high level of antibiotic resistance are commonly referred to as “super gonorrhoea.”
You will need antibiotics to treat Gonorrhoea. Your partner(s) will need treatment, too.
The CDC recommends this regime:
- 500mg of Ceftriaxone shot intramuscularly
- With additional antibiotics like Azithromycin or Doxycycline to treat co-infection.
How will my doctor know if I have gonorrhoea?
Most of the time, urine can be used to test for gonorrhoea. However, if you have had oral and/or anal sex, swabs may be used to collect samples from your throat and/or rectum.
In some cases, a swab may be used to collect a sample from a man’s urethra (urine canal) or a woman’s cervix (opening to the womb).
Click the following link to visit our health care clinic and learn more about the HIV tests at our clinic in Malaysia.
How to prevent Gonorrhoea?
The only way to prevent it is to not have sex.
However, a more practical and realistic goal to reduce the transmission of the disease is to take these important steps to reduce the risk:
- Always use a condom during sex with an unknown partner
- Don’t have sex with someone who has an active infection
- Limit sexual partners
- Get tested regularly and get your partner’s tested too
Conclusion
If you think you could have contracted gonorrhoea, you’ll want to get tested at your nearest STD clinic in KL right away.
Keep in mind this infection is very common — and nothing to feel ashamed or embarrassed of.
You can take steps to avoid transmitting or contracting gonorrhoea by using barrier methods for all sexual activity, getting tested for STIs regularly, and talking with your partner(s) about STIs before you start a sexual relationship.
Dr Shalan Sugumaran
Dr Shalan Sugumaran is an expert in Men’s and Women’s health related issues and has amassed a wealth of experience over the years dealing with such issues.
Along the way, he also developed a keen interest in sexually transmitted diseases and has successfully managed complex cases including HIV related.
Dr Shalan believes that sexual health is important as it can give benefits in all aspect of one’s life and is highly motivated to provide holistic, compassionate and quality care for his clients.
Dr Shalan Sugumaran
Dr Shalan Sugumaran is an expert in Men’s and Women’s health related issues and has amassed a wealth of experience over the years dealing with such issues.
Along the way, he also developed a keen interest in sexually transmitted diseases and has successfully managed complex cases including HIV related.
Dr Shalan believes that sexual health is important as it can give benefits in all aspect of one’s life and is highly motivated to provide holistic, compassionate and quality care for his clients.
