Symptoms of Gonorrhea
The early symptoms of gonorrhea are frequently mild, and some individuals who are infected have no signs of any of the symptoms of the disease, and this is one reason that it is so easily passed on. If indications of gonorrhea build up, they generally materialize within 2 -10 days of sexual contact with an infected sex partner, even though a small percentage of patients may be infected for a few months without showing any symptoms.
The primary indications in women include a painful or burning feeling when urinating or a vaginal discharge that is of a yellow colour. More complex indications will include abdominal pain, spotting or bleeding between menstrual periods, fever or vomiting.
Men normally have a discharge from the penis that is of a white to yellow colour and a burning feeling that occurs when urinating that can be harsh. Indications of an infection of the rectum may include anal itching, and at times very painful bowel movements.
Indications of the disease also include tenderness in the vaginal region and a pus-filled discharge from the vagina or penis, along with a high white blood cell count and fever.
Here is a list of the basic symptoms of gonorrhea in women, men and newborns:
Women
• No symptoms or indications 30 to 40 percent of the time.
• Gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory (PID) disease which may lead to infertility.
• Infection and irritation of the cervix.
• Frequent urination
• Itching and burning sensation of the vagina, normally with a thick yellowish green coloured discharge.
• Infection and irritation of the vagina, which is how the infection typically shows up in children who could be victims of incest.
• Bleeding/spotting between menstrual periods.
Men
• Pain and a burning sensation experienced by most men.
• Thick, yellow penile discharge occurring approximately 50% of the time.
• Inflammation or infection of the ducts attached to the testicles (epididymitis).
• Inflammation or infection of the prostate.
Newborns
• Irritation of the mucous membranes in the eyes, which may cause blindness in infants.
Other
• Gonococcal throat infection should be considered in individuals who complain of a sore throat and obtain other symptoms of gonococcal infection. Throat infections from gonorrhea are passed on through oral sex but may occur without any other symptoms in less than 5 percent of the individuals infected with gonorrhea.
• Pain in the rectum or a discharge can be a symptom of infection of the prostate and is passed on to your sex partner through anal intercourse.