Gonorrhea is an infectious disease transmitted sexually. Gonorrhea is a common infection. The bacterium usually infects the penis, vagina, urethra, or anus, but it can also infect the mouth and throat (pharynx). Most cases of infection occur in persons between the ages of 15 and 24. Gonorrhea may not cause symptoms. However, untreated gonorrhea can lead to serious complications, including pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, sepsis (blood infection), and arthritis. What are the symptoms of gonorrhea affecting the throat? Oral gonorrhea is caused by a type of bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which is spread from one infected person to another through unprotected oral sex. Many oral gonorrhea infections are asymptomatic. However, when symptoms do occur, the most common are: Sore throat; Redness of the mouth or throat; Swollen lymph nodes What other conditions have similar symptoms? Gonorrhea of ​​the throat can be mistaken for other infections or conditions that affect the throat, such as: Mononucleosis; Viruses that cause the common cold; Streptococcus in the throat; Allergies; Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as acid reflux; Oral chlamydia If gonorrhea affecting the throat is suspected, based on symptoms, investigation should be undertaken. There is a higher risk when practicing unprotected sex or having multiple sexual partners. Testing is required, regardless of symptoms, after unprotected sex (oral, vaginal, or anal) with a person who has tested positive for gonorrhea. This is because many infected individuals remain asymptomatic, but they are still at risk of developing serious complications. A study showed a high rate of gonorrhea throat infections among individuals who had genital gonorrhea infections. How is gonorrhea affecting the throat diagnosed? A doctor may suspect gonorrhea based on the patient’s symptoms and reported sexual history. Diagnosing gonorrhea infections in the throat is done in a similar way to genital infections. A swab is taken from the back of the throat and sent to a lab to test for the presence of the bacteria that causes gonorrhea, Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The doctor will probably assign the patient and test for other sexually transmitted infections, such as: HIV (human immunodeficiency virus); Chlamydia; Hepatitis B; Trichomoniasis; Syphilis What is the treatment for gonorrhea affecting the throat? Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics. The most commonly used treatment involves a single intramuscular injection of ceftriaxone along with a seven-day course of oral azithromycin. Other antibiotics may be used if the patient’s allergies are present or if the gonorrhea is an antibiotic-resistant strain. Anyone with whom the patient has recently had sex should also be notified and treated.The best way to prevent gonorrhea infections, including gonorrhea in the throat, is to use condoms when having oral, vaginal, or anal sex. Other types of birth control are not effective in preventing infection. References: 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Gonorrhea 2. UpToDate. Patient education: gonorrhea (beyond the basics) 3. Javanbakht M, Westmoreland D, Gorbach P. Factors associated with pharyngeal gonorrhea in young people: implications for prevention