Gonorrhea Treatment

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It can infect the genitals, rectum, or throat and is curable with appropriate antibiotic treatment.

Many people with gonorrhea have no symptoms. When symptoms occur, they can include burning when urinating, unusual genital discharge, pelvic pain, testicular pain or swelling, rectal discomfort or discharge, or a sore throat after oral sexual exposure.

Gonorrhea is treated with prescription antibiotics. The recommended treatment for uncomplicated gonorrhea in the U.S. is ceftriaxone. Your clinician will determine the appropriate treatment based on the site of infection, allergies, pregnancy status, and whether another STI such as chlamydia also needs treatment.

No. Gonorrhea should not be left untreated. Without appropriate antibiotics, the infection can cause complications and can continue spreading to sexual partners even when symptoms are mild or absent.

Avoid sexual activity for 7 days after treatment and until your sexual partners have been appropriately treated. This helps prevent passing the infection to someone else or becoming reinfected.

Yes. Recent sexual partners should be evaluated, tested, and treated as appropriate. Treating partners is important because you can become reinfected even after your own infection has been successfully treated.