Straight up talk about gonorrhoea

åçBy MONIQUE FORBES

Guardian Features Reporter

Have you heard of the "claps"? That's the term given to the sexually transmitted disease also known as Gonorrhoea.

How much do you know about this disease?

History

The disease was said to be discovered since the days of the Old Testament. The slang name "claps", however, is said to have originally derived from an early 18th century Madam of an illegal homosexual brothel in London. Her name was known as Mother Clap.

At the time not only was homosexuality illegal (punishable by execution), but gonorrhoea was said to be most prevalent among the homosexual society.

Because of the negativitiy surrounding the issue, and Mother Clap's prosecution for housing the illegal business; long after her death, her name lives on in the name associated with gonorrhoea disease.

What Causes The Disease

The disease is caused by the kidney shaped bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae, or gonococcus. A bacteria that grows and multiplies quickly in moist, warm areas of the body such as the cervix, urethra, mouth, or rectum. The disease is prevalent in the age groups of 15-29.

Gonorrhoea is transmitted primarily through sexual contact, whether it's oral sex, rectum sex, or vaginal sex.

However, mothers infected with gonorrhoea can also transfer the disease to their children during delivery.

Symptoms

Gonorrhoea can also spread to the bloodstream leading to fevers, and can affect the joints, causing arthritic-like pain and swelling.

* In males, a yellow discharge from the penis and pain when passing urine may occur within about a week of acquiring the infection.

* In females, there may be a vaginal discharge, burning when passing urine, irregular vaginal bleeding, lower abdominal pain or pain during sex. If untreated, the infection may spread to the reproductive organs causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This may damage the fallopian tubes and result in infertility.

* In both sexes gonorrhoea can occur in the rectum (anus) and also the throat.

The early symptoms of gonorrhoea are often mild, and many women who are infected have no visible symptoms of the disease. If symptoms of gonorrhoea develop, they usually appear within 2 to ten days after sexual contact with an infected partner, although a small percentage of patients may be infected for several months without showing symptoms. In extreme cases of the disease cerebrospinal meningitis and inflammation of the heart might develops.

Treatment

Fortunately, for those infected there is a cure, once the disease is diagnosed, and even less chance of irreversiable damage if it is diagnosed early. Gonorrhoea is treated with antibiotics.

The down side is both men and women may have gonorrhoea without symptoms, so you can be infected without knowing that anything is wrong.

If you suspect you are infected, it is extremely important that both you and your partner or partners are examined by a doctor.

Posted: Monday February 23, 2004