Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It commonly affects the genital tract, rectum, and throat, producing symptoms such as discharge and painful urination, though infection is often asymptomatic, particularly in women. Left untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body and, in women, can damage the reproductive organs.
Facts
Condition Class Causative AgentNeisseria gonorrhoeae, a gram-negative diplococcus bacterium, first isolated by Albert Neisser in 1878. 3 First Described First Described (Era)The earliest reliable notation possibly describing gonorrhea is an Act of the English Parliament that, in 1161, sought to reduce the spread of what it called the perilous infirmity of burning; the symptoms recorded are consistent with, but not diagnostic of, gonorrhea. 1 PrevalenceWHO estimated 82 million new gonorrhoea infections worldwide in 2020, among 374 million new infections with 1 of 4 curable STIs. 4 Classification
ICD-10 ChapterI: Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases 2 Communicable or Non-communicable Transmission Route Causative Agent
Causative Agent (category) Connections
Associated With
Bacterial sexually transmitted infection (Neisseria gonorrhoeae); infectious disease specialty.
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Gonorrhea
WikipediaWikipedia: Gonorrhea, History
One of the first reliable notations occurs in the Acts of the English Parliament which, in 1161, passed a law to reduce the spread of "the perilous infirmity of burning". The symptoms described are consistent with, but not diagnostic of, gonorrhea.
Lead section, body-system statement
Infected males may experience pain or burning with urination, discharge from the penis, or testicular pain.
Lead section, transmission-route statement
Gonorrhea or gonorrhoea, colloquially known as the clap, is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
View the Source 2. Wikipedia: ICD-10
WikipediaList of chapters, Chapter IQuote, List of chapters, Chapter I
Certain infectious and parasitic diseases
3. Wikipedia: Neisseria gonorrhoeae
WikipediaWikipedia: Neisseria gonorrhoeae, DiscoveryQuote, Wikipedia: Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Discovery
In 1878, Albert Neisser isolated and visualized N. gonorrhoeae diplococci in samples of pus from 35 men and women with the classic symptoms of genitourinary infection with gonorrhea.
4. World Health Organization Fact Sheets
WHO fact sheet: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), 2020 estimatesQuote, WHO fact sheet: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), 2020 estimates
In 2020, WHO estimated 374 million new infections with 1 of 4 STIs: chlamydia (129 million), gonorrhoea (82 million), syphilis (7.1 million) and trichomoniasis (156 million).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a person have gonorrhea without knowing it?
Yes; infection is often asymptomatic.
Yes. Infection is often asymptomatic, particularly in women. When symptoms do appear they include discharge and painful urination, and the infection can affect the genital tract, rectum and throat. Left untreated it can spread to other parts of the body and, in women, can damage the reproductive organs.
How common is gonorrhea worldwide?
About 82 million new infections in 2020.
The World Health Organization estimated 82 million new gonorrhoea infections worldwide in 2020, out of 374 million new infections with one of four curable sexually transmitted infections that year (chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and trichomoniasis).
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.