Both men and women can get infection of gonorrhea on throat. Very often, the infection is confused for sore throat and hence it is difficult to diagnose. The bacteria will attack the mucous membrane of the throat which gives rise to sore throat and redness. There may be difficulty in swallowing and in rare cases bumps or lesions are seen as tiny spots on throat. In case of any of the above symptoms, do not delay in consulting your doctor. Taking antibiotic medications is the right method of treatment for gonorrhea in throat.
Very often gonorrhea attacks on throat if the person has oral sex. Bacteria exist on the saliva of the throat and while insertion of anus or any other object like sex toys it will get transmitted to other person. However it will not spread easily like normal sore throat to others. There is less chance for getting transmitted with these bacteria unless you have oral sex on anus and rectum. Your doctor will examine the throat and will get a throat swab test done for confirming the presence of bacteria. It can be treated easily by antibiotic drugs like penicillin. Ceftriaxone is also prescribed by many doctors for clearing gonorrhea on throat. However you can easily prevent oral throat infection by not having oral sex or wearing condom during sex.
Is Gonorrhea Curable ?
Gonorrhea infection is totally curable and one need not get worried about it. Never hesitate to ask for help from your doctor if you are new for any kind of sexual activity. Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Gonococcus) is the bacterium that causes infection in many parts of the body including mouth, throat, genitals and rectum. As per the data given by the Center for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) each year around 6 million cases are reported of gonorrhea. It is true that many hundreds and thousands of cases go unnoticed since gonorrhea may not show any symptoms. Many people still live as carriers of infection without their knowledge.
If at all any signs are visible they take it granted for other reasons and show hesitation to accept that it can be due to sexual transmission. Young kids are largely affected with mouth gonorrhea and throat gonorrhea since they largely have unprotected sex. The only way to identify gonorrhea infection is by testing it. Urine test or culture is a simple procedure for diagnosing this infection and it can be completely treated. Sexually active people (both men and women) need to go for regular screening tests if they are below 25 years.
Method Of Transmission :
Gonorrhea can infect you in 3 ways of sex namely vaginal sex, anal sex and oral sex. Direct skin contact is enough for exchange of fluids through the mucous membrane from one person to the other. Secretions like semen, vaginal fluid or saliva mixes up with the mucous membrane of the infected person to his/her partner. The infection can get transmitted if the vagina comes into contact with the infected secretions and the male sex organ need not necessarily go deep into the vagina for transmitting the infection.
Bacteria can easily navigate from the vagina to the rectum and vice versa. Oral gonorrhea or throat gonorrhea can occur when the bacteria gets transmitted into the oral cavity through exchange of saliva while kissing. There is no clear proof to say that gonorrhea infection does not spread through kissing. Eye infection can occur when the person accidentally touches his/her eyes with the fingers that carry discharge fluid.
Symptoms :
Often the gonorrhea infects the oral cavity first which spreads further into the throat. Some of the common symptoms of throat gonorrhea include sore throat, tenderness of throat, inflammation, redness, change in voice and difficulty in eating and drinking. In severe cases it can cause fever and chills. All the above signs resemble strep throat but it can be due to throat gonorrhea. In addition to these, the affected person can develop symptoms in his/her private parts like swelling, painful urination, burning pain, pain while having sex and rectal bleeding.
Causes :
Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the name of the bacterium which causes sexually transmitted disease. Young kids and teens are the main target for gonorrhea of any kind. If you find young kids developing STD infection it can be due to sexual abuse. You need to consult the case with a child psychologist.
What Happens If You Are Not Treating It ?
- Several thousands of cases go undetected and unnoticed. This can gradually lead to serious health issues.
- In men it can cause scarring of tissue in the urethra (small tube through which urine passes) causing burning pain while urinating. In severe cases it can affect the scrotal bags leading to infertility.
- In women, if the gonorrhea is left untreated it can spread to the vaginal area leading to pelvic inflammatory disease. This is a condition causing severe infection of the pelvic floor including fallopian tubes, ovaries and the uterus. In the long run it can cause lesions in the fallopian tubes leading to infertility.
- The worst part of this infection is the bacteria can easily spread to other parts of the body through blood affecting vital organs like heart, liver, joints and the bones.
Pictures of Gonorrhea Throat :
Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Gonorrhea Throat
Tests :
Urine culture test, gram strain test and nucleic acid amplification tests are used to confirm the presence of gonorrhea.
Treatment :
Antibiotics are effective in treating any kind of bacteria. Medications like Cefixime, Cephalosporin, or Ceftriaxone is given as a single shot or ciprofloxacin is given in the form of oral tablets. Ofloxacin or Levofloxacin can also be given. Many people who already had gonorrhea would show positive results for Chlamydia infection. Hence your doctor would prescribe strong antibiotics like Azithromycin or Doxycycline for a week or 10 days. You should follow the course of prescribed medications fully even if the symptoms have improved. The bacteria might still thrive in your body many days after treatment. Hence you should stay away from any kind of sexual activity till your doctor gives concurrence. Your partner should also be tested and treated for gonorrhea infection.
What Happens If You Are Not Treating Gonorrhea ?
If left untreated for long period, gonorrhea can spread to various parts of the body through the bloodstream. Serious complications like pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility can occur in women. Men are prone to develop epididymitis blocking the sperm ducts leading to impotence. Bacteria can spread to several joints causing joint pain, stiffness and swelling. The infected person is at high risk of HIV and many more sexually transmitted diseases.
Prevention :
- The only way to prevent gonorrhea is to abstain from sex.
- Practice monogamy (one to one person) who also follows the same rule.
- Wearing latex condoms can help in spreading the infection. Do not use water based spermicides which are not effective in preventing the entry of bacteria.
- Gonorrhea can get transmitted even the penile entry fully into the vagina or mouth. Until there is no direct skin-to-skin you can prevent infection.
- Plastic wraps, dental dam can be used as barrier to prevent the risk of transmission during oral sex.