Gonorrhea

What Is Gonorrhea {gon/or/EE/ah}? 
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacteria.

How Do I Get Gonorrhea? 
By having unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex with a person who has gonorrhea.

How Do I Know If I Have Gonorrhea?  

• Symptoms may appear 2 to 9 days after unprotected sexual contact with an infected person.
• Most people have no symptoms.

How Do I Get Tested? 

• Ask your doctor or clinic for a test. 
• A swab is taken from the cervix in women, or from the penis in men. 
• A urine test for gonorrhea is available, in some parts of Alberta. 
• A pap test does not test for STIs.

How Do You Treat It? 

• Gonorrhea can be cured if you take the right antibiotic.
• Tell your sexual partner(s) so that they can be treated. 
• Avoid sexual contact until you are re-tested.

What If I Don’t Treat The Infection? 

• Sterility, joint and heart problems can occur.
• In women, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) can occur. 
• PID is a painful lower abdominal infection that can lead to sterility. 
• Gonorrhea can be passed from a mother to her unborn baby and cause blindness in the baby.

How Can I Prevent The Spread Of Gonorrhea? 

• Abstinence (not having sex) maybe your best choice. 
• Practice “Safer Sex”. Always use condoms! 
• If you think you have been infected with an STI, get checked out. 
• Limit the number of sexual partners you have. 
• Ask your partner about his/her sexual history. 
• Avoid having sex with an infected person. 
• Tell your partner if you have an infection. 
• Get education, guidance and support.

For more information call or email the Sexual Health Program:
Ph: 578-2513
E-mail: sexualhealthprogram@brandonrha.mb.ca  

Updated November 2007