Explain the cause, symptoms, prevention and treatment of Gonorrhoea.

Explanation

Gonorrhoea is an infectious sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Gonococcus). It affects both men and women. It is transmitted through direct sexual contact. It may be transmitted even to a new born baby during birth from the infected mother.
Symptoms : Symptoms appear about 10 days after infection. Symptoms in men include a severe burning sensation in the penis during urination. A greenish yellow discharge called gleet comes out of the penis with a severe burning sensation. Symptoms in women include severe pain during urination, discharge of pus from the vagina and pain in the lower part of the abdomen
Effects : Patients of gonorrhoea suffer from inflammation of urethra called urethritis, inflammation of the cervix called cervicitis, inflammation of the synovial membranes of the joints which may lead to arthritis and inflammation of the lining of the heart which may even damage the valves of the heart. Gonorrhoea may also lead to infertility.
Prevention : Multiple sexual contacts should be avoided and a condom can be used as a protection against the disease.
Treatment: Penicillin is the most effective drug used to treat gonorrhoea. Other antibiotics like erythromycin tetracycline, spiramycin etc., are also used depending on the intensity of the infection.