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.
