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Symptom Duration
Gonorrhea symptoms can clear up quickly—often in as few as two to four days. In most patients, symptoms are typically gone within one week of beginning treatment. Symptoms may clear faster in males than females.
Treatment Duration
It is unlikely that your body will clear gonorrhea on its own, and symptoms are likely to remain until the infection is treated.
During Treatment
During treatment, avoid any sexual activity for seven days after treatment ends and after symptoms go away. This is to prevent spreading the STI to other people.
Treatment Options
Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics. The preferred antibiotic used by healthcare providers is ceftriaxone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends gonorrhea treatments based on the patient’s weight.
Side Effects
A ceftriaxone shot is the most common treatment for gonorrhea. It is a cephalosporin antibiotic. The most common side effects are stomach pain, yeast infection, and diarrhea.
Ongoing Symptoms
Antibiotic resistance has been an ongoing problem with gonorrhea treatment. Resistance means that the gonorrhea bacteria has changed over time to adapt to antibiotics, sometimes making it harder to clear. Gonorrhea treatment typically relieves symptoms within one week. Contact a healthcare provider if you continue to have symptoms three to five days after treatment. Continued symptoms could indicate that the treatment didn’t work.
Risk Factors of Untreated or Undertreated Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea may not disappear because of failed treatment or reinfection. A healthcare provider will determine the best next steps if treatment is unsuccessful. Anyone can be reinfected if they have sexual contact with someone who has gonorrhea. If gonorrhea goes untreated or does not respond fully to medication, it can cause serious health issues, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and scar tissue build-up.
Preventing STIs
The CDC lists several ways to prevent STIs. STI prevention measures include: abstinence, vaccination, reducing the number of sex partners, monogamy, and condoms.
Summary
Gonorrhea is an STI caused by a bacterial infection. Treatment with the antibiotic ceftriaxone is usually successful at treating gonorrhea. If you do test positive for gonorrhea, consider telling your partner(s) so they can receive testing and treatment, too. Adequate treatment typically resolves gonorrhea symptoms within a week. If symptoms persist three to five days after treatment, or you have concerns about your treatment, contact a healthcare provider for advice.
Author Bio
By Patty Weasler, RN, BSN
Weasler is a Wisconsin-based registered nurse with over a decade of experience in pediatric critical care.
Conclusion
Gonorrhea is a common and treatable STI, but it requires prompt treatment to prevent serious health complications. If you are experiencing symptoms or have been exposed to gonorrhea, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. By understanding the symptoms, treatment options, and prevention measures, you can take control of your health and protect yourself and others from this potentially serious infection.
