What are the symptoms of gonorrhea?

Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
Updated on March 19, 2025
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Gonorrhea is mainly a type of infectious skin disease caused by infection with gonococcus. Symptoms of gonorrhea differ between men and women, with men generally presenting more obvious symptoms. Typically, men show early symptoms of gonorrhea about a week after infection with gonococcus, including purulent discharge at the urethral opening, accompanied by symptoms such as frequent urination, urgent urination, and painful urination. In women, gonorrhea usually manifests as cervicitis, with purulent or bloody discharge from the vagina. Many women do not notice early symptoms of gonorrhea, which if ignored can lead to delays in treatment and may result in gonococcal pelvic inflammatory disease. Severe cases can lead to infertility or ectopic pregnancies. If gonorrhea is suspected, it is important to visit a reputable hospital and undergo treatment with antibiotics under the guidance of a doctor.

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Written by Luo Hong
Dermatology Department
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Gonorrhea testing methods

The methods for detecting gonorrhea generally fall into two main categories. One involves testing for the pathogen of gonorrhea. A simple method is the microscopic examination of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which can be seen under a microscope as Gram-negative diplococci. Another method is the cultivation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, although culturing with medication can occasionally result in false negatives. A more advanced and accurate method is PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), which involves using a urethral swab to detect the DNA of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Currently, this is considered the most sensitive and accurate method available.

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Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How is gonorrhea tested in women?

For female gonorrhea testing, the main areas examined are the cervical canal and urinary meatus. This involves using a speculum to open the cervix, and then taking secretion samples for laboratory testing. The lab tests can detect Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacterium that indicates a gonococcal infection. This type of infection commonly affects the cervix and urethra, leading to symptoms in the urinary system and abnormal vaginal discharge. This disease is mostly transmitted through sexual activity, and it is necessary for both partners to be treated simultaneously.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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How to diagnose and treat a patient with AIDS who also has gonorrhea?

Patients with AIDS who are also infected with gonorrhea need simultaneous treatment and management. If the AIDS is still in its early stage and the CD4 cells are in a high state, gonorrhea can be treated first, as its treatment is relatively straightforward, primarily involving the use of potent antibiotics. Usually, a course of treatment lasting about one to two weeks can essentially cure it. After curing gonorrhea, anti-HIV treatment can be administered, which tends to be more effective. Both gonorrhea and AIDS are sexually transmitted diseases and can easily co-infect.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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What are the symptoms of gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is mainly a type of infectious skin disease caused by infection with gonococcus. Symptoms of gonorrhea differ between men and women, with men generally presenting more obvious symptoms. Typically, men show early symptoms of gonorrhea about a week after infection with gonococcus, including purulent discharge at the urethral opening, accompanied by symptoms such as frequent urination, urgent urination, and painful urination. In women, gonorrhea usually manifests as cervicitis, with purulent or bloody discharge from the vagina. Many women do not notice early symptoms of gonorrhea, which if ignored can lead to delays in treatment and may result in gonococcal pelvic inflammatory disease. Severe cases can lead to infertility or ectopic pregnancies. If gonorrhea is suspected, it is important to visit a reputable hospital and undergo treatment with antibiotics under the guidance of a doctor.

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Written by Zhai Yu Juan
Dermatology Department
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There are several ways to transmit gonorrhea.

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the infection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, primarily characterized by acute purulent infections of the urogenital tract. The main transmission route of gonorrhea is through sexual contact, followed by mother-to-child transmission, blood transmission, and close living contact transmission, which can also spread gonorrhea. Since Neisseria gonorrhoeae has very poor viability outside the human body, common disinfectants can deactivate it, and the main transmission mode of gonorrhea is still primarily through the classic route of sexual contact.