Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It can infect both men and women and is spread through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected partner. But is gonorrhea 100% contagious every time there is sexual contact with an infected person? Let’s take a closer look at the transmission, symptoms, testing, treatment, and prevention of this prevalent STI.
How Gonorrhea is Transmitted
Gonorrhea is spread through unprotected sexual contact with an infected partner. The bacterium can be transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Gonorrhea can infect the penis, vagina, cervix, anus, urethra, throat, and eyes.
An infected pregnant person can also pass the infection on to their baby during childbirth. This can cause serious health problems in newborns if the infection goes untreated.
Gonorrhea cannot be spread through casual contact such as hugging, holding hands, or sharing food or drinks with an infected person. The bacterium requires a moist environment to survive.
Here are the key ways gonorrhea can spread during sexual contact:
- Vaginal sex – Gonorrhea can spread from an infected penis to the vagina, cervix, or uterus.
- Anal sex – An infected penis can spread gonorrhea to the anus and rectum.
- Oral sex – An infected penis can spread gonorrhea to the throat during oral sex. An infected vagina or anus can also spread it to the throat.
- Sharing sex toys – Reusing sex toys that an infected person has used can spread gonorrhea.
Is Gonorrhea 100% Contagious?
Gonorrhea is a highly contagious STI when having unprotected sex with an infected partner. However, transmission does not occur 100% of the time. Here are some key factors that influence gonorrhea transmission rates:
- Gender – Women are more likely to contract gonorrhea during vaginal sex than men. The female anatomy makes women more susceptible to bacterial infections.
- Location of infection – Gonorrhea in the penis, vagina or anus is more likely to spread compared to infections in the throat, eyes or rectum.
- Stage of infection – A person with symptomatic gonorrhea is more contagious than someone with asymptomatic gonorrhea.
- Type of sex – Transmission rates are highest for anal sex followed by vaginal and oral sex.
- Frequency of sex – The more often someone has sex with an infected partner, the higher their risk of contracting gonorrhea.
Reported transmission rates for gonorrhea vary between studies but tend to range as follows:
| Type of Sexual Contact | Transmission Rate |
|---|---|
| Receptive anal sex with infected partner | 20-25% |
| Insertive anal sex with infected partner | 10-20% |
| Receptive vaginal sex with infected partner | 20-30% |
| Insertive vaginal sex with infected partner | 10-15% |
| Receptive oral sex with infected partner | 5-10% |
| Insertive oral sex with infected partner | 1-5% |
Based on these transmission rates, gonorrhea cannot be considered 100% contagious with each exposure. Factors like condom use, the infected site, and type of sex act all influence individual risk. However, gonorrhea spreads readily during unprotected sex and just one encounter with an infected partner can lead to transmission.
Symptoms of Gonorrhea
Many people with gonorrhea do not have any symptoms initially. When gonorrhea symptoms do occur, they can develop 2-10 days after infection. However, it can take up to 30 days for symptoms to appear.
Common symptoms of gonorrhea in men include:
- Thick, cloudy or bloody discharge from the penis
- Painful/burning sensation when urinating
- Swollen or painful testicles
Common symptoms of gonorrhea in women include:
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Burning sensation when urinating
- Bleeding between periods
- Painful sexual intercourse
- Abdominal pain
Gonorrhea infections in the rectum, eyes or throat may not cause any symptoms initially. Left untreated, gonorrhea can spread to the reproductive organs leading to serious health problems like pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and ectopic pregnancy in women. In men, it can cause epididymitis which affects testicles.
Getting Tested for Gonorrhea
Since gonorrhea often lacks symptoms, laboratory testing is crucial for diagnosis. A doctor or nurse will take a swab sample from the affected area like the cervix, penis or anus. The sample is then examined for presence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Urine samples may also be collected, although they are less accurate than a swab culture. Throat and eye infections require a swab sample from those sites.
Some common gonorrhea tests include:
- Gram stain – Examines discharge under a microscope to check for bacteria.
- Nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) – Analyzes urine or swab sample for genetic material of gonorrhea bacteria.
- Gonorrhea culture – Swab sample grown in a laboratory culture to identify the bacteria.
Due to gonorrhea’s prevalence, sexually active individuals at risk are advised to get tested regularly. Yearly screening is recommended for those with new or multiple sex partners.
Treating Gonorrhea Infections
Antibiotics are used to cure uncomplicated gonorrhea infections. Effective options include:
- Ceftriaxone – Powerful antibiotic given as an injection along with oral azithromycin.
- Cefixime – Oral antibiotic pills.
- Azithromycin or doxycycline – Used alongside ceftriaxone or cefixime.
Dual therapy with two antibiotics is now the standard treatment to slow growing antibiotic resistance. Azithromycin or doxycycline clears co-occurring chlamydia infections.
All sexual partners from the last 2 months should also be tested and treated. This prevents reinfection and further spread.
Without treatment, gonorrhea can lead to long-term complications like:
- Infertility in both men and women.
- Ectopic pregnancy in women.
- Chronic pelvic pain.
- Epididymitis in men.
- Increased risk of HIV infection.
Preventing Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea cannot be 100% prevented since transmission is not guaranteed with each exposure. However, the following steps can reduce your risk of getting infected:
- Use condoms correctly every time you have sex.
- Limit sexual partners and avoid risky sexual behaviors.
- Get tested regularly if sexually active, especially with new partners.
- Ensure infected partners get treated before having sex again.
- Avoid unprotected oral sex and sharing sex toys.
Consistent condom use provides decent protection against gonorrhea. However, condoms only cover certain body parts, so other forms of contraception should also be used.
Vaccines for gonorrhea are currently under development and may help reduce spread in the future.
Conclusion
Gonorrhea is a prevalent STI with concerning transmission rates during unprotected sex. While the infection is highly contagious, transmission is not guaranteed with every single exposure.
Various factors like gender, infection site, condom use and type of sex influence individual risk. Taking preventive measures can reduce the likelihood of contracting gonorrhea.
Due to the bacteria’s ability to rapidly develop resistance, new antibiotics and a protective vaccine are crucial to counter its spread. For now, comprehensive screening, partner notification and safe sex practices offer the best ways to contain gonorrhea.