1. What is gonorrhea? Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease that is caused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. There are different manifestations of the infection, but, unfortunately, modern antibiotic therapy has made gonorrhea bacteria very resistant to drug therapy. Gonorrhea most often affects people between the ages of 15 and 30. In 2013, the Japanese discovered a special type of gonorrhea – HO41, which is spreading rapidly worldwide and is absolutely resistant to any treatment. Practicing promiscuous sex with many strangers is considered the main risk factor for gonorrhea. 2. How does infection occur? Gonorrhea is sexually transmitted through vaginal or anal sex. Oral sex can also contribute to the transmission of the infection, which is manifested by a dry throat and a budding tonsil infection. Pregnant women infected with gonorrhea can transmit the disease to the fetus. If left untreated, children can develop severe eye infections after birth that can cause blindness. 3. What are the main symptoms of gonorrhea? Of the infected patients, half show some clinical symptomatology, while the others remain asymptomatic. In men, the main symptom is painful and burning urination. Gonorrhea can also affect the rectal mucosa in people who practice anal sex. Anal gonorrhea can be completely asymptomatic. Pain during defecation, redness and abnormal discharge around the anus are very rare. The same applies to vaginal infections among women. They are often manifested by painful urination and the discharge of a whitish pathological secretion from the walls of the vagina. In both sexes, the infection of the throat during oral sex manifests itself with the same dental picture. She has a dry throat and inflammation of the tonsils. Very rarely, it can be complicated by the development of fever. NEWS_MORE_BOX 4. Is there a prevention against gonorrhea? The question of whether there are ways to prevent the development of gonorrhea has long been open. Of course there is! The main preventive measure is the cessation of the practice of having sex with strangers and indiscriminate sexual intercourse. Promiscuous people suffer with a much greater frequency than those in serious relationships or people with less frequent, albeit non-committal, sex. Another measure of protection is the mandatory use of condoms during vaginal and anal sex, as well as copious rinsing with dental antiseptic waters after cunnilingus. 5. How is gonorrhea diagnosed? The bacterium can be detected by taking a urethral sample in men and taking a sample of the vaginal walls and cervix in women. A microbiological culture of secretions from the throat and rectum can also be done. Intravenous or intramuscular administration of antibiotics is recommended as the main means of treatment. The best drugs of choice are the cephalosporins cefexime and ceftriaxone, as well as azithromycin.