Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a very contagious bacterial infection that is transmitted chiefly through genital, anal or oral sex. But it can also be transmitted to a baby while its being delivered. Unlike men, symptoms of gonorrhea in women are typically non-existent, which makes gonorrhea hard to diagnose in women. If symptoms are present, however, they can include abnormal vaginal discharge, spotting, itching, pain during intercourse or burning or painful sensations during urination – especially if the infection is localized within the cervix, vagina or urethra. Anal gonorrhea is typically characterized by painful bowel movements, anal discharge and severe itchiness. Oral sex with an infected partner can result in infected mouths and throats. Furthermore, if the bacteria were to come in contact with your eyes this may result in pussy eye discharge, itchiness and redness. Untreated gonorrhea cases make those infected more susceptible to other STIs and HIV.

Much like chlamydia, pregnant women infected with gonorrhea run the risk of compromising the health of their unborn or newborn babies in several ways. Pregnant mothers infected with gonorrhea are at greater risk of miscarriage, preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and infection of the amniotic sac and/or amniotic fluid. If left untreated during pregnancy, gonorrhea can result in damage to the fallopian tubes and uterus (which can often lead to pelvic inflammatory disease) lower back pain, lower abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, fever, nausea, chronic pelvic pain, infertility, heart infections, blood infections, meningitis.

Babies born to mothers who have gonorrhea often develop eye infections that, if left untreated, can result in blindness. This is why ointments or medicated eye drops are commonly administered shortly after birth as a preventative measure. Additionally, untreated, infected babies can suffer from infections of the blood and joints. They are also highly susceptible to contracting meningitis.