Gonorrhea ("The Clap")
Infection
The bacteria that cause gonorrhoea (gonococci) infect the mucous membranes of the urethra and glans, the throat and the rectum. So if you have sex with a man who has gonorrhoea, you will almost inevitably come into contact with the bacteria. It is even possible to become infected simply by masturbating each other, with the bacteria then transferring from your fingers into your mouth or bottom (smear infection).
Disease Progression
Symptoms usually appear between two and eight days after infection.
You can tell you have gonorrhoea in your penis by the presence of a pus-like discharge from the urethra and a burning sensation when you urinate. Even if the discharge and pain subside after a while, you are still contagious. Furthermore, the bacteria can then also infect the vas deferens.
If you have pharyngeal gonorrhoea, it may initially feel like the onset of a cold, with a sore throat and difficulty swallowing. If you go to the doctor because of such symptoms, you should ask them to take a swab so that they can determine whether it is caused by gonococci or another pathogen.
With anal gonorrhoea, your bottom feels itchy and burns. You’ll also experience pain during anal sex, and your stools may contain some pus-like mucus.
Treatment
There are antibiotics available to treat gonococci. Treatment is therefore straightforward and quickly overcome.
Tips:
- Sexual partners whom you may have infected must also seek treatment. Otherwise, the so-called ‘ping-pong effect’ may occur, meaning you could become reinfected immediately after treatment.
- Condoms reduce the risk of contracting anal gonorrhoea, but do not offer 100 per cent protection.
- Anal gonorrhoea isn’t always noticeable. If you have more than ten sexual partners a year or are HIV-positive, get tested for gonorrhoea once a year to be on the safe side. You can combine this with a test for chlamydia, which is transmitted in a similar way and causes symptoms similar to those of gonorrhoea.
- At Mann-O-Meter, you can find doctors who are not only experienced in treating gonorrhoea but are also comfortable discussing details of gay life!