What is gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It can infect the cervix, urethra, rectum and throat, and it frequently causes no symptoms — particularly at the cervix and throat.
Diagnik Health Library · Updated
What untreated gonorrhea can cause
- Pelvic inflammatory disease and the fertility problems that follow it.
- Epididymitis in people with a penis.
- Rarely, spread to the blood and joints.
Why resistance matters to you
Neisseria gonorrhoeae has developed resistance to several antibiotic classes over time, and the CDC monitors it closely. This is the practical reason treatment must come from a clinician following current guidance rather than leftover antibiotics or an online shortcut.
Co-infection is common
Gonorrhea and chlamydia frequently occur together and share symptoms, which is why a test covering both — and trichomoniasis — is more informative than testing for one.
Tests mentioned in this guide
Frequently asked questions
- Is gonorrhea curable?
- Yes, with the antibiotic regimen a clinician prescribes under current guidance. Resistance makes clinician-directed treatment important.
- Can gonorrhea be silent?
- Yes. Cervical and throat infections in particular often produce no symptoms at all.
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Educational information only, not a medical diagnosis or treatment advice. Screening results always need confirmation by a clinician.
This guide is general health information about screening tests. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace care from a clinician. See our medical disclaimer.