What to expect from antibiotic treatment for gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea can affect the genitals, throat, rectum, or eyes, and symptoms differ by site. Treatment is selected after considering the infection site, test findings, allergies, pregnancy, and local clinical guidance. Discharge, burning, pelvic pain, rectal discomfort, or throat symptoms may not disappear at once. A clinician may recommend a follow-up test, especially when infection affects the throat or symptoms continue.

Take or receive the antibiotic exactly as directed and do not use leftover medicine. Avoid sexual contact for the period your clinician specifies and until partners have been assessed and treated when needed. Tell recent partners promptly, even if symptoms have settled. Use condoms to reduce future exposure, and return for testing if advised. Ask about testing for other sexually transmitted infections and about pregnancy-related care when relevant.

Contact your clinic if discharge, pain, or burning persists, worsens, or returns after treatment. Seek urgent care for severe pelvic or abdominal pain, fever, painful swollen joints, a widespread rash, eye pain or vision change, or sudden testicular pain. Pregnancy, suspected throat infection, and infection in a child need prompt specialist advice.

Ask whether the treatment covered every infected site, when sex can resume, whether a test of cure is needed, how partners should access care, and which warning signs require urgent help.