Rectal infection is usually asymptomatic (90 per cent have no symptoms) but there might be rectal itching, discharge
and/or pain. Rectal infection is possible without having
had anal sex. This is especially common in women as the cervical or vaginal
discharge can get into the rectum.
Oral infection is also 90 per cent asymptomatic, but you might have a
sore throat.
How is it treated?
Testing is either done through a urine test or by taking a specimen from
the infected area. Treatment is by antibiotics that will usually treat
chlamydia as well, as this often occurs at the same time. You should consider
yourself infectious, and refrain from sexual contact, until given the
all clear by the clinic.
Why worry about gonorrhoea?
Untreated gonorrhoea can lead to complications. In about one per cent
of cases the gonorrhoea spreads throughout the body and becomes Disseminated
Gonococcal Infection. This can cause fever, skin lesions and/or arthritis.
Untreated gonorrhoea in women can lead to chronic menstrual problems,
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can make you sterile, complications
with future pregnancy and cystitis (inflammation of the bladder).
Untreated gonorrhoea in men can lead to inflammation of the prostate,
sterility and scar tissue in the urethra that causes it to narrow or close.
page 8 of 8
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Most gut infections occur as a result of poor hygiene.
They are not technically sexually transmitted diseases - any sexual contact
that involves contact with faeces (shit) could transmit the bacteria.
They are relatively common amongst people who have anal sex.
Bugs such as Giardia (in the photo), Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter
and gut parasites like Cryptosporidium and worms may all be spread sexually.
Severe or long-lasting diarrhoea should always be investigated so that
the right
treatment can be prescribed.
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