Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is treatable, but antibiotic resistance makes choosing the right treatment especially important.

Through oral, anal and vaginal sex. It can also be passed to a newborn during birth.

Ordinary household contact, shared utensils and toilets are not typical routes of transmission.

Infection may affect only the exposed site. Without treatment, pelvic inflammatory disease, epididymitis or, less commonly, disseminated infection can develop.

When symptoms occur, they often start 1–14 days after exposure. Many infections cause no symptoms at all.

There is no single universal day for every PCR/NAAT test. If you have symptoms or a partner with gonorrhoea, seek assessment now; a negative test taken too early may need to be repeated.

Burning when urinating, pus-like discharge and pelvic pain. Rectal infection may cause pain, discharge or bleeding.

Yes, particularly in the throat, rectum and cervix. Feeling well does not rule out infection.

The urethra, cervix, rectum and throat. The eyes can also be affected.

Usually with a molecular test (NAAT/PCR). Culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing are important if treatment failure is suspected.

First-catch urine or a genital swab, with separate throat/rectal swabs depending on exposure. Negative urine does not rule out infection at these sites.

Treatment, testing for other infections and partner care should be discussed. The result cannot reliably show who transmitted the infection or exactly when it was acquired.

A clinician chooses an antibiotic using current guidance and resistance information. For throat gonorrhoea, CDC recommends a test of cure 7–14 days after treatment.

Yes. Retesting around three months after treatment looks for a new infection; it is different from a test of cure.

Recent partners should be assessed and treated when indicated. Wait at least seven days after treatment and until partners have been treated, following the clinical plan.

Use condoms or barriers during sex, test the appropriate sites and ensure partners receive treatment. Do not take leftover antibiotics on your own.

For discharge or burning. Severe pelvic/testicular pain, fever, a painful red eye or swollen joints require prompt assessment.

Explain the types of exposure so the right samples can be chosen. Check the price list for available tests and whether each site is charged separately.