May 17, 2011

Gonorrhoea

It is an extremely common venereal or sexually transmitted disease, that is caused by the bacterium Neissera-gonorrhoeae. The bacteria are found in the Mucous Membrances of the Vagina, Urethra, throat and mouth.  If gonorrhoea is not treated it can damage and inflame the Fallopian Tubes and other pelvic organs, and this can arise after only 8-10 weeks. Other possible damage includes eye infection that can cause blindness, septicaemia (blood poisoning), Gonococcal Arthritis, it may occur in conjunction with a painful skin rash and inflammation of heart valves. Symptoms of  gonorrheoa include vaginal discharge (green or yellow in colour), Dysuria,  possible inflammation  of the rectum  and a sore throat . To diagnose the disease, swabs of the discharge are obtained and organisms  grown are identified in the laboratory. Treatment  is by a single , very large dose of penicillin, or tetracycline if the organisms is resistant to penicillin.