Quick Facts about Gonorrhea

• Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
  
  
• In the United States, about 700,000 people get gonorrhea each year.
  
  
• Gonorrhea is spread through contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus.
  
  
• Ejaculation does not have to occur to get or give gonorrhea.
  
  
• Gonorrhea can be passed from an infected mother to her baby during delivery.
  
  
• Anyone who has sex can get gonorrhea.
  
  
• Untreated gonorrhea can cause serious and permanent health problems in both women and men.
  
  
• People with gonorrhea can more easily contract HIV.
  
  
• HIV-infected people with gonorrhea are more likely to spread HIV to someone else.
  
  
• If a pregnant woman has gonorrhea, she may give the infection to her baby during a vaginal delivery. This can cause blindness, joint infection, or a life-threatening blood infection in the baby.
  
  
• Several antibiotics can cure gonorrhea. However, drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea are increasing and successful treatment of gonorrhea is becoming more difficult.
  
  
• Stop having sex and see a doctor immediately if you think you might have gonorrhea.