How is Gonorrhea Transmitted?

With the increasing openness of sexual life, many young men and women have contracted various sexually transmitted diseases. Gonorrhea is a communicable disease that causes urogenital infections, and the main mode of transmission is sexual activity. Both men and women can be infected, and the incubation period is generally 2 to 10 days. Patients may experience mild discomfort, and symptoms become more apparent when the virus erupts. Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (briefly known as gonococcus), which is primarily manifested as suppurative infections of the urogenital system. Its incidence rate ranks second among sexually transmitted diseases in China. Gonococcus is a gram-negative diplococcus that is difficult to survive outside the human body and can be easily killed by common disinfectants. Gonorrhea mostly occurs in sexually active young men and women.

After being treated according to the recommended treatment plan, patients with uncomplicated gonorrhea generally do not need a follow-up visit for healing evaluation. Those who continue to experience symptoms after treatment should undergo gonococcal culture. If gonococcus is isolated, drug sensitivity tests should be conducted to select effective medications for treatment. Relapses after treatment according to the recommended plan are usually caused by reinfection, suggesting that it is necessary to strengthen patient education and diagnosis and treatment of sexual partners. Persistent urethritis, cervicitis, or proctitis can also be caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and other microorganisms, and targeted tests should be performed for diagnosis and treatment. Some patients with gonococcal urethritis may still experience urethral discomfort after receiving standard treatment, and if no gonococcus or other microorganisms are detected, it may be due to incomplete repair of the urethral infection damage.

Children with gonococcal conjunctivitis should be hospitalized for treatment, and examined for disseminated infections. After treatment for gonococcal epididymitis, if there is no significant improvement in symptoms within 3 days, the diagnosis and treatment should be re-evaluated. After treatment according to the recommended plan, if testicular swelling and tenderness persist, a comprehensive examination should be conducted to rule out other diseases. In cases of gonococcal meningitis or endocarditis with complications, consultation with relevant specialists should be sought. The criteria for cure within 2 weeks after the end of treatment, in the absence of a history of sexual contact, are as follows: 1) all symptoms and signs have disappeared; 2) a negative gonococcal review has been obtained from the affected area within 4 to 7 days after the end of treatment.