Gonorrhea is caused by a bacterium, Neisseria gonorrhoeae.This bacterium has pili to attach to the mucosal tissue of humans.Possesing a complex cell wall, it is able to avoid the immune system and cause disease by means of endotoxins(toxins attached on bacteria cell wall).This causes inflammation and the symptoms associated with the disease.
The disease is transmitted sexually.It can also be transmitted from mother to unborn child during birth, causing gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum(an eye infection).The patients can be reinfected repeatedly.
The symptoms of the disease vary among the sexes.
In Males- The bacteria attaches itself to the urethra cells.An inflammation occurs after an incubation of 2-8 days.This is followed by fever,pain during urination and pus being discharged.Most males experience symptoms.If the infection spreads to the sperm ducts, sterility may result.The bacterium may be distributed throughout the body, causing sore throat,arthritis,etc.
In Females- Most women experience no symptoms at all after becoming infected.The few with symptoms will experience fever,burning sensation,vaginal discharge or abdominal pain.The bacteria may spread throughout the body, causing urethritis,arthritis.If the disease spreads into the lower abdominal area, pelvic inflammatory disease may result.This can lead to sterility or fatal widespread infection.
In Newborn- Children are susceptible to gonococcal eye infection, known as gonococcal ophthalmia neonatarum, As mentioned above,in transmission,newborns become infected when they pass through the birth canal of their mothers during birth.Severe inflammation occurs on the eyes,and may result in blindness.
Penicillin can be used to treat gonorrhea successfully , but the resistant strains are developing.However, other drugs like doxycyline and ceftriaxone can be used. There could also be co-infection with chlamydiae, affecting the situation.
There are no vaccines available.Prevention involves treating patients and tracing sexual partners.Avoid having multiple sex partners and using condoms during sex..Pregnant mothers should be treated to prevent their newborns from becoming infected.To prevent gonococcal ophthalmia, newborns can have their eyes irrigated with 1%silver nitrate,0.5% erythromycin or 1 % tetracycline.
Gonorrhea was introduced by an ancient physician, Galen. It means "flow of seed" and refers to the flow of pus from infected persons.In the past, Gonorrhea was mistaken for syphilis,as both were sexually transmitted diseases. It is also known as "clap" or "drip".The causative agent of Gonorrhea, Neisseria gonorrheaoe, was discovered by Albert Neisser in 1879.bert Neisser
