Gonorrhoea

• Signs and symptoms
• Getting it
• Diagnosis & treatment
• Long-term effects

Diagnosis and treatment

A doctor or a nurse at your local sexual health (GUM) clinic will take a sample using a cotton wool or spongy swab or a small plastic loop from any places which may be infected - the cervix, urethra (pee tube), anus or throat. A sample of pee may be taken.

Results take about a week to come through, but if a doctor or nurse thinks you have gonorrhoea, you will be treated immediately with antibiotics. These may be tablets or an injection. Treatment is essential.

You should avoid all sexual contact until you are given the all clear by the doctor or nurse at the clinic. If you can, you should let anyone that you have had sexual contact with in the last 3 - 6 months know that they may have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and that they need to be checked out and possibly tested. Staff at the clinic will offer you as much support as you need to do this.

A woman can pass on gonorrhoea to her baby if infected at the time of birth. However, treatment with antibiotics when the baby is born is easy and straightforward.

Where to get help