+

–

What is gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a bacterial STD. Also known as the “clap,” “drip,” or GC, it is the second most commonly reported STD in Long Beach. Rates are unusually high for people in their 20s. Most people with gonorrhea experience no symptoms.

+

–

What are the symptoms?

+

–

Why is this serious? 

If gonorrhea is left untreated, it can spread to your reproductive organs.

​

An infected pregnant mom could pass it on to her newborn baby during childbirth. This baby may develop infections including blindness, joint infection, or a life-threatening blood infection.

+

–

Can I get gonorrhea? How do I prevent it?

You can get gonorrhea by having unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex. It is passed through sexual contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus of an infected partner. Ejaculation does not have to occur for gonorrhea to be transmitted.

​

Using latex condoms every single time you have sex is the best way to prevent gonorrhea. If you are sexually active, see your doctor or visit health clinics to get tested regularly. This is the only way to make sure if you are infected or not.

+

–

Gonorrhea can be cured.

Gonorrhea can be treated with antibiotics (given as an injection and oral medication). The treatment typically takes one week to cure gonorrhea completely.

​

It’s important to have your sexual partner(s) get treated as well. Make sure both you and your sex partner(s) are cured before having sex again.