Understand the difference between Gonorrhea and Chlamydia
Like Chlamydia, Gonorrhea is a very commonly spread sexually transmitted disease (STD). Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This bacterium grows and multiplies very easily in warm and moist areas such as the reproductive tract, the cervix (opening to the womb), uterus (womb), and fallopian tubes (egg canals) in women, and in the urethra (urine canal) in women and men. Unknown to many, the bacterium can also grow in the throat, mouth, eyes, and anus.
Similar to Chlamydia, Gonorrhea is spread or contracted through sexual activity with an infected person. Ejaculation does not need to occur for gonorrhea to be transmitted or acquired from one person to another. Gonorrhea can also be spread from mother to baby during delivery.
Gonorrhea is similar to Chlamydia because in a lot of cases there are no obvious symptoms. If symptoms should occur they will normally do so within two to five days of infection. However, in some cases symptoms can take as long as 30 days to appear. Should symptoms occur in men, they include: a burning sensation when urinating, or a white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis. Sometimes men with gonorrhea get painful or swollen testicles.
In women, the symptoms of Gonorrhea often tend to be more mild and in most cases women who are infected have no symptoms. In fact, even when a woman has symptoms, they can be so non-specific they can be mistaken for other problems such as vaginal or bladder infections. The initial symptoms of Gonorrhea infection in women include a painful or burning sensation when urinating, increased vaginal discharge, or vaginal bleeding between periods.
In many cases, it is very difficult to distinguish the difference between Chlamydia and Gonorrhea because the symptoms are very similar. Because a high proportion of men and women who have gonorrhea also have Chlamydia, the goal of treatment is to cure both infections. If you are infected, your partner(s) should be treated at the same time you are.
Treatment for uncomplicated gonorrhea consists of a course of antibiotics such as or Doxycycline, Suprax or Cipro. A course of doxycycline can be used to treat both Chlamydia and Gonorrhea at the time.
Suprax (available online) Click Here
Cipro (available online) click here
Doxycycline (available online) Click Here
Doxycycline can be used to treat both chlamydia and Gonorrhea!
If you have it, don't panic but get TREATMENT
Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines 2006. MMWR 2006;55(No. RR-11).
Stamm W E. Chlamydia trachomatis infections of the adult. In: K. Holmes, P. Sparling, P. Mardh et al (eds). Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 3rd edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1999, 407-422.
Suggested reading
1. Stamm WE. Chlamydia trachomatis Infections of the Adult. Chapter 32 in Holmes KK, et al (ed). Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 4th edition. New York, McGraw-Hill, 2008:575-93. The main chapter in the premier STD textbook, by one of the world's top experts in chlamydial infections.
2. Handsfield HH. Color Atlas and Synopsis of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 2nd edition. Chapter 2, Chlamydial Infections. New York, McGraw-Hill, 2001:12-19. A succinct overview with extensive clinical photographs illustrating symptoms, intended for health professionals but easily understood by educated readers.
3. Datta SD, et al. Gonorrhea and chlamydia in the United States among Persons 14 to 39 Years of Age, 1999 to 2002. Annals of Internal Medicine 2007;147:89-96. The report of the most comprehensive national survey of these STDs in the US.
4. CDC. Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance, 2006. Atlanta, GA, November 2007. http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats/trends2006.htm Annually updated statistics on reported STD in the US.
5. CDC. Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2006. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2006;55:RR-11. http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2006/toc.htm CDC's treatment recommendations, supplemented by extensive summaries of key information about all STDs.
6. CDC. Expedited Partner Therapy in the Management of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 2006. http://www.cdc.gov/std/ept/ CDC's summary of outcomes of research studies and recommendations use of streamlined approaches to assure that partners of persons with gonorrhea or chlamydia receive treatment.
7. Brunham RC, et al. The unexpected impact of a Chlamydia trachomatis control program on susceptibility to reinfection. Journal of Infectious Diseases 2005;192:1836-44. A thoughtful analysis of why chlamydia rates might be rising despite intensive prevention, suggesting that earlier treatment reduces immunity, leaving persons susceptible to reinfection.
8. Golden MR, et al. Impact of expedited sex partner treatment on recurrent or persistent gonorrhea or chlamydial infection: a randomized controlled trial. New England Journal of Medicine 2005;352:676-85. The most comprehensive of three research studies documenting the effectiveness of streamlined treatment of sex partners.
9. Handsfield HH. Nongonococcal urethritis: a few answers but mostly questions (editorial). Journal of Infectious Diseases 2006;193:333-5. A succinct summary of the causes of NGU and the remaining uncertainties about the syndrome.
10. Scholes D, et al. Prevention of pelvic inflammatory disease by screening for cervical chlamydial infection. New England Journal of Medicine 1996;334:1362–1366. The primary research study documenting that routine testing prevents the most important complication of chlamydia.
11. Marrazzo JM, et al. Impact of patient characteristics on performance of nucleic acid amplification tests and DNA probe for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in women with genital infections. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 2005;4:577-84. The science behind the modern tests for chlamydia.