Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Gonorrhoea can infect the urethra, the endocervix or vaginal canal, the rectum, the pharynx or mouth and the conjunctiva.
The incubation period of gonorrhoea refers to the time between becoming infected with the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae and the appearance of symptoms.
The incubation period is typically short. Symptoms may develop within a few days of infection, with an average incubation period of around 3 to 5 days. However, symptoms can sometimes take longer to appear, and may occur within 2 to 14 days after infection.
Gonorrhoea is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can be treated and cured with appropriate antibiotics. However, because the bacteria that cause gonorrhoea have developed resistance to several antibiotics over time, it is important to receive appropriate medical treatment rather than attempting to treat the infection yourself.
In Singapore, treatment for uncomplicated gonorrhoea typically involves an antibiotic injection. Your doctor will determine the appropriate treatment based on factors such as the site of infection, your symptoms, allergies, pregnancy status, previous treatment and whether there is concern about antibiotic resistance.
If chlamydia or another STI is present or has not been excluded, additional treatment may also be required.
Completing treatment does not immediately mean that it is safe to resume sexual activity. Patients should follow their doctor’s instructions and avoid sexual intercourse for at least 7 days after completing treatment. Sexual partners should also be assessed and treated where appropriate to reduce the risk of passing the infection back and forth.
Recent sexual partners should be informed if gonorrhoea has been diagnosed so that they can undergo appropriate testing and treatment.
Your doctor may also recommend a test of cure after treatment to confirm that the infection has cleared. This can be particularly important for infections involving the throat or where there is concern about antibiotic resistance or treatment failure.
Symptoms such as discharge or pain when urinating should generally improve following effective treatment. If your symptoms persist, return to your doctor for further assessment rather than taking additional antibiotics on your own.
Persistent infection can occur for several reasons, including reinfection from an untreated sexual partner or, less commonly, antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea. Your doctor may recommend additional testing, including a gonorrhoea culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing, to determine whether the bacteria are resistant to particular antibiotics.
Yes. Successful treatment of gonorrhoea does not provide immunity against future infections. You can become infected again if you have sexual contact with someone who has gonorrhoea.
Using condoms consistently, ensuring relevant sexual partners are tested and treated, and undergoing STI screening when appropriate can help reduce the risk of reinfection.
Follow-up testing is recommended 2-4 weeks after treatment to ensure that infection has been completely cleared.
Blood testing for syphillis and HIV is recommended as well.
Practice safe sex. Use condoms correctly and everytime you have sex.
All sexual contacts in the last 2 months of exposure should be screened and treated.
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