GONORRHEA
PROBLEM
Gonorrhea is an sexually transmitted infection (STI). You may have the following symptoms: burning during urination, yellowish discharge from the penis or vagina, heavier menstrual periods, or pelvic pain.
Untreated gonorrhea in females can lead to a condition called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID is a leading cause of infertility, increased ectopic pregnancies, and chronic pelvic pain in women.
You can get gonorrhea more than once.
CAUSE
Gonorrhea is caused by an organism called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This organism is spread through sexual contact and may infect the eyes, throat, vagina, penis, or rectum.
PREVENTION
A.Use condoms when having intercourse.
B.Do not have sex if you or your sexual partner has abnormal discharge or burning with urination.
C.Limit sexual partners.
D.Have routine screening tests for gonorrhea prior to beginning a new sexual relationship.
TREATMENT PLAN
A.Gonorrhea can be cured when you and all of your sexual partners take antibiotics.
B.Take all of your antibiotics.
C.Do not share your antibiotics with your partner(s). Each of you need to have your own prescription of antibiotics.
D.Until you and your partner(s) have completed all of your prescribed antibiotics, do not have sex.
Your healthcare provider is required to report this disease to the public health department. The health department may contact you.
Medications: Gonorrhea can be cured by the prescribed antibiotics.
You Have Been Prescribed: ___________________________________________________________
You Need to Take: ___________________________________________________________
It is very important that you keep your follow-up appointment in 3 months so that you can be retested to make sure the infection is gone.
Your Appointment Has Been Scheduled for: ___________________________________________________________
You Need to Notify the Office If:
A.You have any new symptoms.
B.You are unable to take all of the antibiotics because of nausea, vomiting, or a reaction.
C.Other: ___________________________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________
PATIENT TEACHING GUIDE