What Is Gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It may affect the:

• Urethra
• Cervix
• Rectum
• Throat
• Eyes
• Reproductive organs

Many infections cause no symptoms, particularly cervical, rectal, and throat infections. Untreated gonorrhea can spread, cause reproductive complications, and be transmitted unknowingly.

Gonorrhea can be cured with appropriate antibiotics, but reinfection is possible.

Common Gonorrhea Symptoms

Symptoms in Men

Possible symptoms include:

• Burning or pain during urination
• White, yellow, or green urethral discharge
• Urethral itching or irritation
• Testicular pain or swelling
• Frequent or urgent urination
• Rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding

Symptoms may develop relatively soon after exposure, but some men remain asymptomatic.

Symptoms in Women

Possible symptoms include:

• Increased vaginal discharge
• Burning during urination
• Bleeding between periods
• Bleeding after sexual activity
• Pelvic or lower-abdominal pain
• Pain during intercourse
• Rectal discomfort or discharge

Symptoms may be mild and mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection.

Throat Gonorrhea

Throat infection often causes no symptoms. When present, symptoms may include:

• Sore throat
• Throat redness
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Discomfort when swallowing

Rectal Gonorrhea

Possible symptoms include:

• Anal itching
• Rectal pain
• Mucus or discharge
• Bleeding
• Painful bowel movements

A urine test alone may not detect infection located only in the throat or rectum.

How Is Gonorrhea Transmitted?

Gonorrhea may spread through:

• Vaginal sexual contact
• Anal sexual contact
• Oral sexual contact
• Sharing sex toys
• Contact with infected genital fluids
• Transmission during childbirth

A person can transmit gonorrhea without having symptoms.

Gonorrhea is not generally transmitted through toilet seats, swimming pools, shared food, towels, or ordinary social contact.

Who Should Consider Gonorrhea Testing?

Testing may be appropriate for people who:

• Have a new sexual partner
• Have multiple partners
• Had sex without a condom
• Have a partner diagnosed with an STI
• Experience discharge or painful urination
• Have pelvic or testicular pain
• Had oral or anal exposure
• Are pregnant or planning pregnancy
• Were diagnosed with another STI
• Want routine sexual health screening

The recommended tests depend on anatomy, exposure sites, symptoms, pregnancy, and individual risk.

Gonorrhea Testing in Busan

Gonorrhea is commonly diagnosed using a nucleic acid amplification test, or NAAT.

Testing may involve:

• First-catch urine
• Vaginal swab
• Cervical swab
• Urethral swab
• Rectal swab
• Throat swab
• Eye specimen in selected cases

Testing should include every potentially exposed anatomical site. A negative urine test does not necessarily rule out throat or rectal gonorrhea.

Gonorrhea Culture and Antibiotic Resistance

Gonorrhea has developed resistance to multiple antibiotics. A bacterial culture may be recommended when:

• Symptoms persist after treatment
• Treatment failure is suspected
• Antibiotic resistance is a concern
• A detailed susceptibility test is needed
• A patient has a significant antibiotic allergy

Culture testing requires a properly collected specimen before additional antibiotics are taken whenever possible.

Preparing for a Gonorrhea Test

The clinic may ask patients not to urinate for a specified period before providing a first-catch urine sample.

Patients should inform the doctor about:

• Types and sites of sexual exposure
• When exposure occurred
• Current symptoms
• A partner’s STI diagnosis
• Recently used antibiotics
• Medication allergies
• Pregnancy possibility
• Previous gonorrhea infections

Testing too soon after exposure may not detect every infection. A clinician can advise whether repeat testing is necessary.

Gonorrhea Treatment Options

Prescription Antibiotics

Gonorrhea requires prescription antibiotic treatment based on current medical guidance, patient allergies, infection site, and local resistance patterns.

Treatment may be administered as an injection. Additional medication may be prescribed if chlamydia has not been excluded or another infection is identified.

Patients should not attempt to treat gonorrhea with leftover or over-the-counter antibiotics.

Treatment Before Results

A doctor may begin treatment before laboratory confirmation when:

• A partner has confirmed gonorrhea
• Symptoms strongly suggest infection
• Follow-up may be difficult
• Complications are suspected

The plan may be adjusted after results become available.

Partner Treatment

Recent sexual partners may require testing and treatment even when they have no symptoms. Treating only one partner creates a significant risk of reinfection.

The clinic may provide guidance regarding:

• Which partners should be contacted
• Partner testing
• Presumptive treatment
• Additional STI screening
• When sexual activity can safely resume

When Can Sexual Activity Resume?

Patients should avoid vaginal, anal, and oral sexual activity until:

• The prescribed treatment is completed
• The recommended waiting period has passed
• Symptoms have resolved
• Relevant sexual partners have been treated

The treating clinician should provide instructions based on the infection site and treatment used.

Gonorrhea During Pregnancy

Gonorrhea during pregnancy requires prompt treatment with medication appropriate for pregnancy.

Untreated infection may increase the risk of:

• Pregnancy complications
• Infection around delivery
• Transmission to the newborn
• Serious eye infection in the baby

Pregnant patients should follow their obstetrician’s recommendations for treatment and repeat testing.

Possible Complications in Women

Untreated gonorrhea can spread to the reproductive organs and cause pelvic inflammatory disease.

Possible complications include:

• Chronic pelvic pain
• Fallopian tube damage
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Reduced fertility
• Tubo-ovarian abscess
• Pregnancy complications

Prompt diagnosis and treatment reduce these risks.

Possible Complications in Men

Possible complications include:

• Epididymitis
• Testicular pain or swelling
• Prostatitis-like symptoms
• Urethral narrowing
• Reduced fertility in uncommon cases

Sudden severe testicular pain requires emergency assessment to exclude testicular torsion.

Disseminated Gonococcal Infection

In rare cases, gonorrhea can spread through the bloodstream and affect the skin, joints, heart, or nervous system.

Possible warning signs include:

• Fever
• Joint pain or swelling
• Tendon pain
• Skin spots or pustules
• Severe weakness
• Neck stiffness
• Chest pain

Disseminated infection requires urgent hospital treatment.

Follow-Up and Repeat Testing

Follow-up recommendations depend on the infection site, symptoms, and treatment.

A clinician may recommend:

• A test of cure for throat gonorrhea
• Culture and susceptibility testing if symptoms persist
• Repeat screening after treatment to identify reinfection
• Additional testing during pregnancy
• Testing for other STIs

Patients should not repeat testing too early unless instructed, as laboratory results may be difficult to interpret.

What If Symptoms Continue After Treatment?

Persistent symptoms may result from:

• Reinfection from an untreated partner
• Antibiotic resistance
• Another STI
• Incomplete treatment
• Epididymitis
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Prostatitis
• Urinary tract infection
• Noninfectious urethral irritation

Patients should return for reassessment rather than taking additional antibiotics without medical guidance.

Gonorrhea and Other STI Testing

Patients diagnosed with gonorrhea may also be offered testing for:

• Chlamydia
• Syphilis
• HIV
• Hepatitis
• Trichomoniasis
• Other infections based on exposure

More than one STI can be present at the same time.

Gonorrhea Care for International Patients

Busan offers urology, gynecology, internal medicine, and sexual health services for international patients seeking confidential gonorrhea testing and treatment.

Patients should bring:

• A list of medications
• Information about antibiotic allergies
• Previous STI results
• Details of recently used antibiotics
• Partner test results when available
• Pregnancy information when applicable
• Dates and sites of possible exposure

Patients leaving Korea soon should ask how results, injections, follow-up tests, and partner treatment will be coordinated.

How Long Does Gonorrhea Treatment Take?

Specimen collection and medical consultation may be completed during one visit. Laboratory processing time varies according to the test.

Treatment may be provided during the initial appointment when infection is confirmed or strongly suspected. Follow-up testing may require an additional visit, especially for throat infection or persistent symptoms.

Gonorrhea Treatment Cost in Busan

The total cost may depend on:

• Medical consultation
• Urine or swab-based NAAT testing
• Throat or rectal testing
• Bacterial culture and resistance testing
• Additional STI screening
• Pregnancy testing
• Antibiotic injection or medication
• Partner evaluation
• Follow-up testing
• Treatment of complications

Patients should request an individualized estimate after the doctor determines the appropriate tests.

When Should You Seek Urgent Medical Care?

Seek prompt medical attention if possible gonorrhea symptoms occur with:

• Severe pelvic or abdominal pain
• High fever or chills
• Testicular pain or swelling
• Joint pain with fever or skin lesions
• Pregnancy with pain or bleeding
• Severe weakness or confusion
• Eye pain, redness, or discharge
• Rapidly worsening symptoms

These signs may indicate pelvic inflammatory disease, epididymitis, eye infection, or disseminated gonorrhea.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can gonorrhea be cured?

Yes. Gonorrhea can be cured with appropriate antibiotics. Reinfection can occur after future exposure or contact with an untreated partner.

Can I have gonorrhea without symptoms?

Yes. Throat, rectal, and cervical infections commonly produce no noticeable symptoms.

Can a urine test detect every gonorrhea infection?

No. A urine test may not identify infection located only in the throat or rectum. Testing should match the sites of exposure.

Does my partner need treatment?

Recent partners may require testing and treatment even if they have no symptoms. Follow the clinic’s partner-care instructions.

Why is a test of cure recommended for throat gonorrhea?

Throat infection can be more difficult to eliminate and plays an important role in antibiotic resistance. Follow-up testing helps confirm treatment success.

Can international patients receive confidential care in Busan?

Yes. International patients can receive private gonorrhea testing, antibiotic treatment, partner guidance, and follow-up care in Busan.