Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is – together with chlamydia – one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. The gonococcal bacteria can be easily transmitted and usually affect the mucous membranes of the throat, rectum or urethra.

Transmission

Gonococci can be transmitted during almost all sex practices that involve direct contact of (infected) mucous membranes.

Gonorrhea is easily transmitted. The bacteria can be passed not only during fucking, but also during sucking, licking, rimming, fisting, mutual jerking, and intense kissing. Outside the human mucosa, however, the bacteria die quickly (which is why transmission via toilet seats, for example, is not possible).

Protection

• Condoms and internal condoms can reduce the risk of infection. You can also use these to reduce transmission through shared toys.
• When fisting or fucking with multiple partners: Change condoms, gloves, or toys before you fuck someone else.
• Be aware of your protection against HIV. If you have gonorrhea, the risk of HIV transmission can increase, because the HIV virus finds an easier way into the body through the inflammation and the associated damage to the mucous membranes.
• People with untreated HIV infection who have inflammation of the cervix, rectum or urethra caused by gonococci are at increased risk of transmitting HIV to others because inflamed mucous membranes and inflammatory secretions contain particularly large numbers of viruses (co-infection).
• Regular testing helps to detect an infection early and treat it as quickly as possible.
• Inform your sex partners and wait for the medical treatment to be finished before you have sex again.

Symptoms

Often gonorrhea causes no or vague symptoms. As a result, the infection is often diagnosed and treated late. In some cases, an untreated infection leads to infertility.

Gonorrhea of the genitals and / or urethra.

After about three days, itching, burning and pus may appear.
Discharge from the tail (yellow, milky and usually foul-smelling), also called “bonjour drops”.
Painful inflammation of the prostate or epididymis possible.
In the vas deferens, scarring adhesions can lead to inability to conceive.
Although gonorrhea can heal on its own, it can also become chronic. The pathogens can then continue to be transmitted to others and spread throughout the body.

Gonorrhea in the ass and / or throat

• Often asymptomatic
• Itching, burning
• Pain when fucking
• Mucous secretions during bowel movements
• Sore throat

The pathogens in gonorrhea in the throat usually disappear by themselves after some time.

Test & Treatment

Gonorrhea can be diagnosed with a swab or urine sample and is easily cured with antibiotics.

Testing can be done at urology or skin and sexually transmitted disease doctors*. In many centers for sexual health, AIDS help centers or testing projects such as Checkpoints, the tests and consultations are often offered anonymously and at low cost.

Further information is available from the Deutsche Aidshilfe here.