How do you get it?

By having sex (vaginal, anal, or oral sex) with an infected person.

What is Gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is the second most common bacterial sexually transmitted disease (STD).

What Are the Symptoms of Gonorrhea?

Most infected people-especially, infected women-don't have symptoms, so they can't tell. Even without symptoms, infected people can pass gonorrhea to every person they have sex with. When people with gonorrhea do have symptoms, they might experience pain when going to the bathroom or a discharge from the penis or vagina.

How do you treat Gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea can be treated with antibiotics. But if you don't know you're infected, you won't be looking for treatment. If you have had sex, see your doctor and get checked. Don't put it off. If treatment is delayed, infected women can get a pelvic inflammatory disease (a serious complication of gonorrhea). PID causes problems now (abdominal pain) and problems later (difficulty getting pregnant or infertility).

What can I do to avoid being infected with Gonorrhea?

Abstinence from sexual intercourse is the only certain way to avoid being infected. If you haven't had sex, your chances of getting gonorrhea are small. Already had sex? Get checked out.

If you are involved sexually you need to know the risks...

• Your partner may not know he/she has an STD - 80% infected do not know their condition.

• Your partner may not tell you the truth if he/she has been sexually active in the past.

STDs are not always prevented with condom use

• Some STDs transmit skin to skin

• Condoms have a 17% failure rate; that is 1 in 6

• You can have an STD and have no symptoms for weeks, months, possibly years. STDs are contagious even though no symptoms exist

• Teens are much more susceptible to STD damage because they have a lower level of antibodies than adults

• It is extremely important to see a doctor for a checkup if you -- or your partner -- have had a sexual experience outside of marriage even though no symptoms exist