Gonorrhea is spreading fast among gay and bisexual men. You can help stop the spread of gonorrhea by learning more about the disease and getting tested. This site provides the information you need.

If you are sexually active, you should make STI(sexually transmitted infection) testing part of your routine. You have a few options:

Antibiotics are the standard treatment for this infection and are usually given by injection. Although the infection is treatable, if left untreated gonorrhea can lead to a host of medical problems including infertility and/or spread of the infections to the brain, the heart and the joints.

Gonorrhea, also commonly referred to as “the clap”, is an extremely contagious sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The gonorrhea bacterium is spread through sex and can infect various body parts including; the urethra, cervix, rectum, throat, and eyes. Therefore, gonorrhea can be spread through any type of unprotected sexual contact: anal, oral or vaginal. It can also be passed to a newborn during childbirth.

Gonorrhea is still a problem in Massachusetts. In addition, the number of reported antibiotic resistant gonorrhea have increased since 2003 and rectal gonorrhea cases in men increased nearly 25% in 2003 and has held steady in 2004.

Symptoms of gonorrhea may include unusual yellowish discharge or pain while urinating, anal itching, painful bowel movements, blood or mucus on feces and sore throat. Symptoms are likely to develop within two to ten days of exposure, but up to 10% of men with urethral gonorrhea (gonorrhea in the penis) will show no symptoms. And, even more unsettling is the fact that the majority of men with infection of the anus or throat will present with no symptoms. That is why it’s so important to get tested if you think you’ve been exposed or if you are sexually active.

Without treatment, gonorrhea can cause painful swelling of the testicles and scrotum (balls) — this condition, known as epididymitis, can lead to infertility or chronic infection.

Testing is easy and safe. By getting tested regularly (every 6 months) you can get treatment before gonorrhea spreads to other parts of your body. You’ll also be protecting your sexual partners and the Boston community.

Diagnosis of gonorrhea can be made by several tests, including a urine sample test. Depending upon your sexual behaviors, you may need additional cultures of your throat or anus

Gonorrhea can be cured with antibiotics, usually given as a shot. Pills may also be given in one dose.

Follow up visits are recommended to make sure the infection is gone. It’s important to know that those who have contracted and been treated for gonorrhea are not resistant and may become infected again.

If you are HIV-positive or your immune system is compromised for any reason, the infection may be more difficult to treat and you should see your health care provider regularly.

If you are sexually active, make STI testing part of your routine. In addition, use condoms, consider limiting the number of sexual partners and know each partner’s sexual history.

If you are infected, you should not have sex until you are completely cured. All your current sexual partners need to be tested and treated if exposed – it’s easy to be reinfected.

It’s important for everyone to know that gonorrhea makes it much more likely to acquire or transmit HIV infection.

If you are HIV-positive and think you’ve been exposed, you should get tested and get treatment right away.