Gonorrhea- introduction

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacterium that can grow and multiply easily in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, including the cervix (opening to the womb), uterus (womb), and fallopian tubes (egg canals) in women, and in the urethra (urine canal) in women and men. The bacterium can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes, and anus.

It is a bacterial infection caused by the organism Neisseria gonorrheae that is transmitted by sexual contact. Gonorrhea is one of the oldest known sexually transmitted diseases. It is estimated that over one million women are currently infected with gonorrhea.

Gonorrhea, also called as "Clap" is a sexually transmitted , very common infectious disease. The infection is caused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhea. Gonorrhea is spread during sexual intercourse – vaginal, oral, and anal. Most often, gonorrhea is found in younger people (ages 15-30) who have multiple sex partners. Gonorrhea can also be spread from mother to child during birth.

What causes gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacterium that can grow and multiply easily in mucous membranes of the body. Gonorrhea bacteria can grow in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, including the cervix (opening to the womb), uterus (womb), and fallopian tubes (egg canals) in women, and in the urethra (urine canal) in women and men. The bacteria can also grow in the mouth, throat, and anus.

These bacteria can infect the genital tract, the mouth, and the rectum. In women, the opening to the uterus, the cervix, is the first place of infection.
Gonorrhea is spread during vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected partner. A pregnant woman may pass the infection to her newborn during delivery.
Gonorrhea can be transmitted any time by a person who is infected with the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae, whether or not symptoms are present. A person who is infected with gonorrhea is always contagious until he or she has been treated.

Gonorrhea is spread during sexual intercourse. Infected women also can pass gonorrhea to their newborn infants during delivery, causing eye infections in their babies. This complication is rare because newborn babies receive eye medicine to prevent infection. When the infection occurs in the genital tract, mouth, or rectum of a child, it is due most commonly to sexual abuse.

Gonorrhea may be caused by gonococcal bacteria that affects the mucous membrane chiefly of the genital and urinary tracts and is characterized by an acute purulent discharge and painful or difficult urination, though women often have no symptoms. There are almost 400,000 cases of gonorrhea a year reported to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control).

Some others reasons of causing Gonorrhea :

Alteration of normal vaginal flora and/or inflammatory response

–Candida albicans overgrowth is more common with recent antibiotic use, poorly controlled diabetes, and/or pregnancy; presents with intensely pruritic, inflamed, and erythematous introitus

–Doderlein's cytolysis (caused by an overgrowth of lactobacilli)
Atrophic vaginitis

–Common in postmenopausal women, especially those not on HRT

–Poor coital lubrication, dyspareunia

–Dysuria due to atrophic urethral tissue

Foreign body vaginitis (e.g., retained tampon)

Noninfectious irritant/allergic contact vaginitis (e.g., soaps, feminine pads, perfumes)

Children and adults with gonorrhea can contract gonococcal conjunctivitis by touching their eyes with contaminated hands.