Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) that’s easy to get diagnosed and simple to cure. It often has no immediate symptoms, but it’s important to get checked since it can lead to complications if left untreated.

This can help if:

• think you might have an STI

• you want to understand what gonorrhoea is

• you want to know the signs and symptoms of gonorrhoea

• you want to know how gonorrhoea is treated.

What is gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea is caused by bacteria being transmitted from one person to another through unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex. You might sometimes hear it called ‘the clap’, ‘the jack’ or ‘the drip’.

Symptoms of gonorrhoea

Some people with gonorrhoea get symptoms and some don't. Symptoms can pop up about two to seven days after you’ve been exposed to the bacteria.

You might:

• get a yellow or white discharge from your penis, vagina or anus

• have an itchy, swollen or red penis, vagina or anus

• find sex or urination painful

• have stomach pain 

• bleed from the penis, vagina or anus

• get a sore throat.

Getting tested for gonorrhoea

You can get tested for gonorrhoea at a sexual health clinic, or in an appointment with a GP or sexual health nurse. They’ll take a swab with a cotton bud from the cervix (in the vagina) or the penis. They might also do a urine test.

Even if you don’t have any of the symptoms, it’s wise to get regular STI checks (every 6-12 months) because gonorrhoea can cause serious health problems if it’s not treated. Testing regularly is part of practising safe sex. You should get regular check-ups even if you use protection or have a long-term partner. If you have multiple partners, it’s recommended to test more often. And it’s also a good move to get tested whenever you have sex with someone new.

Learn more about how to get a sexual health check, or call Healthline on 1300 65 88 86 to find out the most convenient place for you to have a check-up.

Will it go away by itself?

Gonorrhoea won’t go away by itself, but it’s really easy to treat. If your test comes back positive, you’ll be prescribed antibiotics, and it will usually clear up after about a week. Avoid having unprotected sex while you have gonorrhea, as you could pass the infection on to your sexual partner/s.

How to prevent getting or spreading gonorrhoea

Condoms and dental dams (a thin plastic barrier used for oral sex) are effective ways of protecting yourself and your sexual partners from gonorrhoea, as well as other STIs. Get more advice about practising safe sex to prevent STIs.

If you know you have gonorrhoea, you need to tell your previous and current sexual partners so that they can get tested, too. It might feel awkward or embarrassing for both of you, but approaching the conversation with kindness and honesty will help the chat stay respectful. Plus, you’ll feel relieved in the long term knowing that you helped others take care of their health. Get some more tips on how to tell a sexual partner about your STI.

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