Gonorrhea

Learn about gonorrhea and find information on symptoms, testing, and more.

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Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacterium. This is the second most common STI in Boston. You can treat and cure gonorrhea by taking medication as prescribed.

Contact the Mayor’s Health Line for free, confidential, multilingual health information and referral services at 617-534-5050. The Mayor’s Health Line helps all residents regardless of immigration status or gender identity.

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How to Prevent Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea spreads through vaginal fluids or semen when someone has vaginal, oral, or anal sex with a person who has gonorrhea. Gonorrhea can also pass from birthing parent to child during birth. To help prevent gonorrhea:

Use a new barrier method every time (like a condom or dental dam) for each sexual act, partner, and when switching between oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
- Condoms made from “natural” materials (such as lambskin) can help prevent pregnancy, but they do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). For STI protection, use latex, polyurethane, or polyisoprene condoms. Check the product label to confirm what type of condom you’re using.
Consider Doxy PEP: Taking doxycycline within 24 hours after sex can help prevent gonorrhea as PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis). Talk to a healthcare provider if you think you were exposed or think you may be exposed in the future.
Get tested regularly: Some people with gonorrhea don’t have symptoms, which is why getting tested and knowing your status is important to stop the spread and get treatment if needed.
Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, follow cleaning instructions for toys and check for damage, and use condoms on toys.
Understand that having sex while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol can increase the likelihood of unprotected sex.

Testing

Testing is quick and painless, using a urine sample or a simple swab. Healthcare providers may also test for chlamydia at the same time. It is important to get tested because many do not have symptoms or know they have it. Without treatment, women can develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and men can develop epididymitis, both which can cause infertility. Gonorrhea can also increase your chances of getting other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as HIV or chlamydia.

If trying to get pregnant or are currently pregnant, talk to a healthcare provider about getting tested for STIs.

We recommend yearly testing for anyone who is sexually active and under 25. Other times to get tested more include:

Every time you have a new partner
For people of any age at high risk, including:
- Those who have had unprotected sex, sex with multiple partners, or sex with a new partner
- All pregnant people
  - If trying to get pregnant or are currently pregnant, talk to a healthcare provider about getting tested for STIs.
- 3 months after treatment for an STI

Free or low cost and confidential testing is available at clinics throughout Boston.

Learn More

If you don't have health insurance or don't want to use your health insurance, you can still get tested. Call your healthcare provider to confirm the schedule. Find additional information and locations.
If you are a Boston Public High School student, your school may have a School-Based Health Center or Health Resource Center. According to Massachusetts State Law, if you are 13 or older you can get a confidential STI test without your parents' permission.

Treatment

Can you treat gonorrhea?

Yes, you can treat gonorrhea with antibiotics. It is important that you take all the medication your healthcare provider prescribes you. A single dose of antibiotics can cure most cases of gonorrhea. It is becoming harder to treat some gonorrhea, as drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea increase. Visit your healthcare provider if you still have symptoms after taking your medicine.

Should my partner get treated?

Recent (within the last 60 days) or regular sex partners must get treated before having sex again. It is best to get treated at the same time.

Symptoms

Most people do not have symptoms. If symptoms occur, they usually start 2 days after infection, but can take longer. For those who do have symptoms, the most common ones are:

For people with vaginas:

Unusual discharge (yellowish or whitish fluid) from the vagina
Pain and/or burning when urinating or during sex
Pain in the stomach or back
Bleeding even when it’s not during a period
In more serious infections, fever
Symptoms of rectal infection may cause pain, discharge or bleeding from the rectum (bum) and painful bowel movements
An oral infection may cause a red sore throat

For people with penises:

Unusual discharge (thick white or watery fluid) coming from the penis
Pain and/or burning when urinating or urge to pee a lot
Less common symptoms include:
- Heavy feeling and/or pain in the testicles
- Symptoms of rectal infection may cause pain, itching, discharge or bleeding from the rectum (bum) and painful bowel movements
- An oral infection may cause a red sore throat

How long can a person spread gonorrhea?

A person can spread gonorrhea to others from the time they get the infection until they get treatment. A person can spread gonorrhea to others even if they do not have symptoms. If you are taking medicine, do not have sex for 7 days after your treatment is over. It is important to know that you can get infected with gonorrhea many times.