I’ve Had Gonorrhea, Am I Now Immune?

Sometimes referred to as “The Clap,” gonorrhoea is a serious STI that is caused by a specific type of bacteria called gonococcus. Although it is one of four STIs that are currently curable, gonorrhoea can still wreak havoc on your health, and no one is immune.

How Gonorrhoea Spreads 

The bacteria that leads to gonorrhoea can be found in sexual bodily fluids and, therefore, is most frequently transmitted through unprotected sex. Even if you don’t engage in vaginal intercourse, gonorrhoea can be transmitted anally and orally. In addition, sexual equipment that has come into contact with an infected person can be contaminated and spread the bacteria. Finally, gonorrhoea can be passed from a pregnant mother to an unborn baby, so if you suspect that you may have contracted gonorrhoea and may be pregnant, it’s crucial to be tested and treated immediately to avoid complications.

Gonorrhoea Symptoms 

Most people who contract gonorrhoea will not have any symptoms. If you do have symptoms these may include:

• Thick green and/or yellow discharge from the penis or vagina.
• Pain or discomfort when urinating.
• Bleeding between menstrual periods.

Be aware that 10% of infected men and nearly 50% of infected women may never experience symptoms at all. Therefore, testing is the only way to know for sure. 

Gonorrhoea Reinfection 

One common misconception about gonorrhoea is that you are immune once you’ve had it. This is not the case. You can contract gonorrhoea more than once. Subscribing to the myth that reinfection is not possible is very dangerous for the following reasons:

• Treatment-Resistant Gonorrhea: Doctors and scientists are encountering an increase in the volume of treatment-resistant gonorrhoea cases around the globe. As the bacteria evolves, it can mutate in ways that allow it to continue to survive and thrive, despite the application of antibiotics. If you think that you cannot be reinfected, you may be careless and contract the STI again. Because it has encountered the antibiotic treatment once before, the bacteria could evade your body’s defences and result in a more severe illness. 
• Spread: As mentioned previously, there is a percentage of the population who never displays symptoms of gonorrhoea. Therefore, if you think that you are immune and show no signs, you may spread the infection to others without even knowing it. 
• Delayed Testing: The false assurance of being “immune” to gonorrhoea could cause you to delay testing. The longer the STI goes undetected, the more serious the health outcomes could be. 

Protecting Yourself Against Gonorrhea 

Regardless of whether you’ve previously had gonorrhoea or not, you always need to be careful and guard your health. Have open conversations with your partner(s) about sexual health, and always use protection. If you are intimate with numerous partners, it’s important to be tested on a regular basis. If you receive a positive result for gonorrhoea or any other STI, you must talk to your doctor immediately so you can receive treatment.

Don’t make the mistake of putting off testing for gonorrhoea. Find a clinic near you and schedule an appointment today. 

Sources

1 https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/four-curable-sexually-transmitted-infections—all-you-need-to-know

2 https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/multi-drug-resistant-gonorrhoea

3 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8787362/