Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can infect both men and women. It can cause infections in the genitals, rectum, and throat. It is a very common infection, especially among young people ages 15-24 yrs. You can get gonorrhea by having anal, vaginal, or oral sex with someone who has gonorrhea. A pregnant woman with gonorrhea can give the infection to her baby during childbirth. Any sexually active person can get gonorrhea through unprotected anal, vaginal, or oral sex. If you are sexually active, have an honest and open talk with your health care provider and ask whether you should be tested for gonorrhea or other STDs.

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Key Facts

• Anyone who is sexually active can get gonorrhea.
• Gonorrhea can be cured with the right medication.
• It is becoming harder to treat some gonorrhea, as drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea are increasing.
• Untreated gonorrhea can cause serious health problems in both women and men.
• Untreated gonorrhea can increase a person’s risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

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Men Who Have Sex with Men

Anyone who is sexually active is at risk. If you are a sexually active man who is gay, bisexual, or who has sex with men, you should be tested for gonorrhea every year.

Talk to Your Healthcare Provider

If you are sexually active, have an honest and open talk with your health care provider and ask whether you should be tested for gonorrhea or other STDs.

Drug-Reistant Gonorrhea

Let's Talk About Sexual Health

What You Need to Know About Gonorrhea

The Growing Threat of Multidrug-Resistant Gonorrhea

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Prevention Tips

• The only way to avoid STDs is to not have vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
• If you are sexually active, you can do the following things to lower your chances of getting gonorrhea:
  • Being in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and has negative STD test results;
  • Using latex condoms the right way every time you have sex.