What is it?
Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria. Common symptoms include genital discharge, pain when urinating and eye infections. Up to 80 per cent of women and 10-to-15 per cent of men have no symptoms.
Infection spreads through unprotected sex and sexual contact. Gonorrhoea is treated effectively with antibiotics. It is important to get treated and make sure your current and previous partners are tested to prevent re-infection.
What will my GP do now?
Your GP will prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. They may also discuss:
- Testing for other sexually transmitted infections
- Telling sexual partners you have had in the past two months to get tested. This is known as ‘contact tracing’
- How long you and your partner need to wait before having sex again
- Strategies for safe-sex and reducing the risk of re-infection
What will my GP do in the future?
Your GP will see you again in one week to check if treatment has been effective and if you still have symptoms. At your follow-up, you’ll also be given the results of any other STI tests.
Your GP will arrange another follow-up appointment two weeks after your treatment has finished to check the infection has gone. Your GP may ask you to be tested again for STIs in three months.
Your GP may offer you a referral to a sexual health clinic if:
- Your tests continue to show positive, even after treatment
- Your condition is complicated or you are more likely to need specialist care
- You are pregnant
- You would like counselling or more support
What can I do?
It’s important you take your medications as instructed to make sure the infection is treated properly. Learn about safe sex, ask your GP when you can have sex again and find out how you can avoid a re-infection. You will also need to tell previous partners that they should get tested and treated.
It’s common to feel anxious or worried when you learn you have gonorrhoea. Ask your GP for a referral to a sexual health specialist if you’d like more support to help you cope.
