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Gonorrhea
What is Gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can infect both men and women. It can cause infections in the genitals, rectum, and throat. It is a very common infection, especially among young people ages 15-24 years.
Gonorrhea within the State of Georgia
Gonorrhea is the second most commonly reported notifiable disease in Georgia with 22,667 cases reported in 2017 which was an increase from the previous year of 2,114. In 2017, Georgia ranked 9th in gonorrhea when compared to other states in the United States.
Additional Information and Facts
Testing and Treatment
Who should be tested for gonorrhea?
Any sexually active person can be infected with gonorrhea. Anyone with genital symptoms such as discharge, burning during urination, unusual sores, or rash should stop having sex and see a health care provider immediately. Also, anyone with an oral, anal, or vaginal sex partner who has been recently diagnosed with an STD should see a health care provider for evaluation.
Some people should be tested (screened) for gonorrhea even if they do not have symptoms or know of a sex partner who has gonorrhea1. Anyone who is sexually active should discuss his or her risk factors with a health care provider and ask whether he or she should be tested for gonorrhea or other STDs. CDC recommends yearly gonorrhea screening for all sexually active women younger than 25 years, as well as older women with risk factors such as new or multiple sex partners, or a sex partner who has a sexually transmitted infection. People who have gonorrhea should also be tested for other STDs.
What is the treatment for gonorrhea?
CDC recommends a single 500 mg intramuscular dose of ceftriaxone for uncomplicated gonorrhea. Treatment for coinfection with Chlamydia trachomatis with oral doxycycline (100 mg twice daily for 7 days) should be administered when a chlamydial infection has not been excluded. It is important to take all of the medication prescribed to cure gonorrhea. Medication for gonorrhea should not be shared with anyone. Although medication will stop the infection, it will not repair any permanent damage done by the disease. Antimicrobial resistance in gonorrhea is of increasing concern, and successful treatment of gonorrhea is becoming more difficult 2. If a person’s symptoms continue for more than a few days after receiving treatment, he or she should return to a health care provider to be reevaluated
Content source:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, April 13). Detailed STD Facts - Gonorrhea. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/stdfact-gonorrhea-detailed.htm.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, December 14). CDC - Gonorrhea Treatment. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/treatment.htm.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for gonorrhea: recommendation statement. Ann Fam Med, 3, 263–267 (2005).
Page last updated 8/16/24