What should you know about early symptoms of gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection. When symptoms occur, they may appear in the genitals, throat, or rectum, depending on the site of infection. Discharge can be different from your usual pattern, and urination may sting. Pelvic pain, bleeding between periods, or pain during sex can signal infection spreading upwards. Symptoms alone cannot confirm the cause, and some people have none.

Arrange STI Screening if you have symptoms, a new sexual partner, or a partner who has been diagnosed. Avoid sex until a clinician advises that it is safe, and do not share antibiotics. Tell the clinician which sexual contact occurred so the correct sites can be tested. Recent partners may also need assessment, even if they feel well.

Seek prompt care for pelvic or lower abdominal pain, fever, pain or swelling in a testicle, or unusual bleeding. Urgent assessment is needed for severe pain, fainting, a painful swollen joint, a spreading rash, or eye pain with discharge. Untreated infection can lead to complications such as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.

Ask which tests are needed, whether samples from the throat or rectum are appropriate, when results are expected, and when sex can safely resume. Mention allergies, pregnancy, recent antibiotics, symptoms, and any partner notification concerns.