What should you know about mouth gonorrhoea?

Throat gonorrhoea can follow oral sexual contact. Many people notice no clear throat problem, while others may have a sore throat, redness, swollen glands or discomfort when swallowing. Symptoms alone cannot confirm the infection.

Gonorrhoea can also infect other body sites. Painful urination or vaginal discharge may indicate infection at the genital site, but their absence does not rule out a throat infection. Untreated infection can be passed to sexual partners and may contribute to pelvic inflammatory disease in people with reproductive organs.

Arrange STI screening and tell the clinician about oral exposure so the throat is tested when appropriate. Do not rely on a urine test alone to assess the throat. Avoid sexual contact until you have received medical advice about treatment and partner protection.

Take antibiotics exactly as prescribed and do not share leftover medicine. Tell the clinician about allergies, pregnancy or other medicines. Partners may need assessment and treatment, and follow-up testing may be advised depending on the clinical plan.

Seek prompt care after a partner has gonorrhoea, after unprotected oral sex with a new or untreated partner, or when throat or genital symptoms develop. Get urgent help for trouble breathing, inability to swallow fluids, rapidly worsening neck swelling or severe pelvic pain.

Ask which sites need testing, when results are expected, which antibiotic is prescribed, when sexual contact can safely resume, and whether partners need notification or treatment.