Discharge Instructions for Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a type of sexually transmitted infection (STI). Medicine will help you get better.
Steps to Take
Medications
An antibiotic will help fight the infection. Take all the antibiotics you are given. Do this even when you are feeling well.
When taking medicine:
- Take your medicine as advised. Do not change the amount or schedule.
- Be aware of the side effects of your medicine. Tell your doctor if you have any.
- Talk to your doctor before you stop taking any prescription medicine.
- Do not share your prescription medicine.
- Medicines can be harmful when mixed. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking more than one. This includes over the counter products and supplements.
Other Steps That May Help
You can get gonorrhea more than once. It spreads easily. Be sure to:
- Tell your sexual partner(s) that you have gonorrhea. Your partner(s) needs to be tested and treated. This should be done even if your partner(s) does not have symptoms.
- Avoid sex until you and your partner(s) have finished treatment. Symptoms should be gone by then. Do not have sex if you still have symptoms.
Follow-up
Your doctor may need to check on your progress. Be sure to go to all advised appointments.
Problems to Look Out For
Call your doctor if you are not getting better or you have:
- Anal itching or pain when passing stool (poop)
- Soreness
- Bleeding
- Joint pains
- Signs of infection, such as fever and chills, or red, sore eyes
- Nausea and vomiting
- Lightheadedness
- Rash or hives
In Men:
- Discharge from the penis
- Burning sensation while passing urine
- Tender or swollen testicles
In Women:
- Burning sensation while passing urine
- Abnormal vaginal discharge or bleeding
- Belly pain
If you think you an emergency, call for medical help right away.
RESOURCES:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease
http://www.niaid.nih.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Public Health Agency of Canada
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca
Sex Information and Education Council of Canada
http://www.sieccan.org
REFERENCES:
Gonococcal cervicitis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/gonococcal-cervicitis. Accessed August 18, 2021.
Gonococcal urethritis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/gonococcal-urethritis. Accessed August 18, 2021.
Gonorrhea—CDC fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/STDFact-gonorrhea.htm. Accessed August 18, 2021.
Sexually transmitted diseases: gonorrhea. EBSCO Nursing Reference Center website. Available at: https://www.ebscohost.com/nursing/products/nursing-reference-center. Accessed August 18, 2021.
Last reviewed July 2021 by EBSCO Medical Review Board David L. Horn, MD Last Updated: 8/18/2021