Gonorrhoea (The clap)

Gonorrhoea (The clap)is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). One can get it from having sex with someone who is infected with it. People call it “the clap.”Both men and women can get it, though men get it more often than women.It tends to target warm, moist areas of the body, including the –
• urethra (the tube that drains urine from the bladder)
• throat
• eyes
• vagina
• anus
• female reproductive tract (the fallopian tubes, cervix and uterus )

Gonorrhoea passes from person to person through oral, anal or vaginal sex without a condom or other barrier method.But babies of infected mothers can be infected during childbirth. In babies, gonorrhoea most commonly affect the eyes.
Symptoms –

Gonorrhoea(The clap) symptoms in men usually include –
• Burning sensation when you urinate
• Painful or swollen testicles
• White, yellow or green discharge from your penis
Most women don’t have symptoms. If they do, they are often mild. The symptoms include-
• Burning or pain in urination
• More vaginal discharge than in normal
• Bleeding between periods
• Pain in your belly
• Pain when you have sex
Gonorrhoea infection in your rectum may cause –
• Bleeding
• Discharge
• Itching
• Soreness
• Pain when you defecate
Gonorrhoea can also infect your eyes, throat or joints.You can also be infected but have no symptoms.
Causes-

Gonorrhea(The clap) is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoea. The gonorrhoea bacteria are most often passed form one person to another during sexual contact, including oral, anal or vaginal intercourse.
Risk Factors –

Sexually active women younger then 25and men who have sex with men are at increased risk of getting gonorrhoea.
Other factors that can increase your risk include-
• Having a new sex partner
• Having a sex partner who has other partners
• Having more than one sex partner
• Had gonorrhoea or another sexually transmitted disease
Complications –
In females, gonorrhoea can lead to –
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Infertility
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Preterm labour or still birth
Gonorrhoea can also pass to the newborn, who can develop a joint infection, loss of vision or bacteremia – a life threatening blood infection – as a result.
In males, gonorrhoea can lead to epididymitis, which can cause problems with fertility.
In everyone, untreated gonorrhoea can lead to a disseminated gonococcal infection. This can be life threatening. Some sign and symptoms include-
• dermatitis
• fever
• arthritis
• inflammation and swelling around the tendons
People with gonorrhea also have a higher risk of contracting or transmitting HIV.
Diagnosis –
To determine whether you have gonorrhoea, your doctor will analyse a sample of cells.Samples can be collected by –
•Urine test-
This can help identify bacteria in your urethra.
• Swab of affected area –
A swab of your throat, urethra, vagina or rectum can collect bacteria that can be identified in a lab.
For women, home test kits are available for gonorrhoea. They include vaginal swabs for self – testing that are sent to a specified lab for testing.
Treatment-
There is no at-home remedies or OTC medications that will treat gonorrhoea. Gonorrhoea is usually treated with an antibiotic injection of ceftriaxone one time intramuscularly and a single dose of azithromycin by mouth.Once on antibiotics, you should feel relief within days.
The antibiotics used for extended therapy are usually given once or twice a day. Some common antibiotics used include azithromycin and doxycycline.
Prevention-
• Use condoms
• Have your sexual partners get tested
• Do not have sex with someone who has symptoms of gonorrhoea
• Get regular screenings
Ayurveda Perspective-
Gonorrhoea can be correlated with Puyameha in Ayurveda texts.
Procedure to be followed –
• Uttarbasti-

Beneficial Herbs –
• Turmeric –

• Neem-

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