Gonorrhoea

In a nutshell

  • This is an infection that is caused by bacteria.
  • It is transmitted during sexual intercourse where the penis penetrates the mouth, the vagina or the anus.
  • Young people between 15 and 24 years of age represent the majority of declared cases of gonorrhoea in Quebec.
  • People infected with gonorrhoea are often also infected with chlamydia.

Symptoms and complications

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Many people infected with gonorrhoea have no symptoms.

If symptoms show up, they are as follows:

  • pain while urinating;
  • abnormal discharge from the vagina, the penis or the anus;
  • pain in the rectum or the lower abdomen;
  • pain during sexual intercourse;
  • sore throat or pharyngitis when transmission is oral-genital.

Possible consequences for health:

  • infertility;
  • pains in the lower abdomen;
  • problems becoming pregnant;
  • problems during pregnancy;
  • an increased risk of contracting or transmitting HIV.

Screening and treatment

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Screening

  • When there are no symptoms, taking a urine sample is enough. So, boys don’t have to worry about cotton buds being inserted.
  • When symptoms are present, samples must be taken from the uterine cervix, the urethra, the anus or the throat during a medical examination.

Treatment

  • Gonorrhoea is treated by means of antibiotics.
  • For the entire length of the treatment, sexual intercourse must be avoided. If, despite everything, you want to have sexual intercourse, you must use a condom.

Protection

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  • When you have sexual intercourse, use a condom.
    • A condom must be used before any contact of the penis with the mouth, the vagina or the anus.
    • A condom must be used from start to finish of sexual intercourse.
  • If you are infected with gonorrhoea, it is important to notify your partners so that they too can have screening tests done and receive treatment.

In terms of figures :

50 % of declared cases of gonorrhoea occur in young people between 15 and 24 years of age

Getting help

To get a screening test

  • Call Info-Santé 8-1-1
  • Talk it over with the nurse in your school or CLSC
  • Talk it over with your doctor

 

For any
other question

Consult Tel-jeunes

Tel-Jeunes Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux