Gonorrhoea
The number of people being diagnosed with gonorrhoea in Taranaki has seen a significant increase. In 2016 there were 22 diagnosed cases; 2017 - 20 diagnosed cases; 2018 - 58 diagnosed cases, and up until the end of September 2019 there had been 74 diagnosed cases.
Gonorrhoea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI), and is particularly common in people aged less than 25 years. It affects the genitals (vagina, penis or testicles), the anus or the throat.
You can get gonorrhoea by having sexual contact with someone who has the infection. This includes having contact with their genital fluids or by having vaginal, anal or oral sex.
Gonorrhoea can also be passed from a mother to her baby during childbirth. If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor or midwife.
Gonorrhoea is very easy to catch and also very easy to treat. Without treatment, gonorrhoea may cause serious health problems.
Signs and symptoms
Men are more likely to have symptoms and may have some or all of the following:
- unusual discharge (fluid) from the penis
- pain when peeing
- sore or swollen testicles
- discharge or bleeding from the anus.
Women often have no symptoms, but may experience some or all of the following:
- unusual discharge (fluid) from the vagina
- pain when peeing
- bleeding between periods
- tummy pain
- discharge or bleeding from the anus.