Gonorrhoea is the most common venereal disease. It is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Clinical symptoms become apparent after 2 to 7 days. In men, the infection manifests as acute inflammation of the urethra, accompanied by redness, pain during urination, and purulent discharge from the penis.
Complications can include inflammation of the prostate and the epididymis. If left untreated, gonorrhoea can lead to infertility. In women, the course is less specific: it may be asymptomatic or chronic. The most common symptom is inflammation of the urethra, pain during urination, and slight vaginal discharge. This can lead to inflammation of the cervix and acute inflammation of the Bartholin glands. If untreated, the disease can lead to infertility. Diagnosis involves an examination of discharge from the urethra under a microscope. Gonorrhoea is curable with the use of oral antibiotics.
