Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by infection with a type of bacteria (called Neisseria gonorrhoeae). It also is known as "the clap," "the drip," or "GC." Gonorrhea can be spread during oral, anal, or vaginal sex. It is most common among sexually active young adults who have more than one sexual partner.

A gonorrhea infection may cause a thick yellow or greenish yellow discharge from the penis or vagina as well as burning on urination or pelvic pain. However, many people infected with gonorrhea do not have any symptoms.

• In men and women, gonorrhea can cause pain in the rectum (proctitis), or the throat (pharyngitis).
• In men, gonorrhea may harm the tubes that carry sperm (epididymitis) or cause swelling in the testicles.
• In women, gonorrhea can cause inflammation of the fallopian tubes (salpingitis), or other reproductive organs (pelvic inflammatory disease).
• In newborns, gonorrhea may cause an infection in the lungs (pneumonia) or in the eyes. All newborns routinely receive antibiotic eye drops to prevent eye injury from a possible gonorrhea infection.

Occasionally, gonorrhea can spread to sites other than the genitals, such as the blood, skin, heart, or joints. This is called a disseminated gonococcal infection, or DGI. Symptoms of DGI may include:

• A blood infection (septicemia).
• A skin rash.
• Inflammation of the tendons and joints, especially those in the knees and hands.
• Meningitis. This is a rare complication.

Several tests can detect gonorrhea.

• Gonorrhea culture. A gonorrhea culture is done on a sample of discharge collected from the potentially affected area (such as the cervix, urethra, or throat). The sample is combined with substances that promote the growth of gonorrhea bacteria. If no gonorrhea bacteria grow, the culture is negative. If gonorrhea bacteria grow, the culture is positive. Unlike other gonorrhea tests, a culture can determine whether gonorrhea bacteria are resistant to certain antibiotics.
• Nucleic acid hybridization test (DNA probe test, molecular probe test). Molecular probe testing detects genetic material (DNA) of gonorrhea bacteria. This test is done on the discharge collected from the potentially affected area, most often the cervix or urethra. Samples collected from the throat do not always provide accurate test results. Often the molecular probe test for gonorrhea also tests for chlamydia, another sexually transmitted disease (STD) with symptoms similar to those caused by gonorrhea. (See the medical test topic Chlamydia.)
• Gram stain. A Gram stain test is done on a sample of discharge from the penis or vagina. The discharge is spread on a microscope slide and stained with a dye that can help identify gonorrhea bacteria. A Gram stain is a less reliable way to detect gonorrhea than a culture or molecular probe test, but it produces faster results. Gram stain testing is not very accurate in women.
• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA, EIA). EIA testing is done on a sample of discharge from the penis or vagina. An EIA test detects substances that trigger the immune system to fight the gonorrhea infection (gonorrhea antigens). It is done by taking a sample of secretions from the vagina or penis. An EIA test is less accurate at detecting gonorrhea than a gonorrhea culture.
• Ligase chain reaction (LCR) test. The LCR test detects the genetic material (DNA) of gonorrhea bacteria. LCR testing is very accurate and can be done either on a urine specimen or a sample of secretions from the potentially affected area. However, LCR testing is not widely available at this time.

Gonorrhea Test
Results

The results of a Gram stain usually are available within an hour. A Gram stain sometimes is done so that treatment can be started without waiting for the culture, which may take 2 to 5 days. Results from the molecular probe test usually are available within 2 days.