You’ve probably heard of gonorrhea, but how much do you really know about it?
2025-8-25
Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae and spreads through sexual contact. During the incubation period (typically 1–14 days), infected individuals may show no obvious making it easy to overlook. Particularly in women, the symptoms of gonorrhea are often subtle or nonspecific (e.g. mild abnormal discharge or lower abdominal pain), making them easily overlooked or mistaken for other minor infections. Therefore, accurate diagnosis is critical.
Moreover, gonorrhea does not clear up on its own. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications like infertility or pelvic inflammatory disease. That’s why early testing and treatment are essential for controlling the condition and preventing its spread.
1. 淋病是甚麽
2. 常見病徵以及淋病的潛伏期
3. 淋病的傳播方式及成因
4. 淋病檢測方法
5. 淋病的治療及預防*
6. 常見問題
1. 淋病是甚麽
淋病 (Gonorrhoea），俗稱「流白濁」，是由淋病雙球菌（Neisseria gonorrhoeae）引起的一種常見性傳播疾病（STD）。這種疾病可以影響多個部位，包括生殖系統、咽喉、直腸和眼睛。 淋病在全球範圍內廣泛存在，尤其在性活躍的年輕人中更為常見。若不及時治療，淋病可能導致嚴重的併發症，如盆腔炎、不孕症以及增加愛滋病的傳播風險。根據AIDS Concern的報告，淋病的感染趨勢正在年輕化，特別是在15至24歲的年輕人中越來越普遍。
2. 常見病徵以及淋病的潛伏期
Some patients may have no symptoms at all. However, most patients will develop symptoms within 1–14 days after sexual contact.
Common Symptoms in Men:
- • Cloudy, milky or yellow-green pus-like discharge from urethra.
- A burning sensation during urination.
Common Symptoms in Women (But most symptoms are mild or asymptomatic):
- Yellow, foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
- A burning sensation during urination.
- Pain during sexual intercourse.
Gonorrhea can also infect the anus or throat through anal or oral sex, leading to anal discharge or throat pain. If left untreated, gonorrhea can spread and damage other organs. In men, it may cause testicular infections, while in women, it may lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. Both men and women may experience issues with joints, skin, and eyes if treatment is delayed.
Even asymptomatic individuals can spread the disease. Regular testing is crucial for both you and your sexual partners. Prevention is better than cure. If you suspect exposure, get tested as soon as possible.
Learn about INDICAID STD urine testing:
3. How Gonorrhea Spreads and Its Causes
淋病是由淋病雙球菌引起，此細菌主要透過性接觸傳播，包括陰道性交、肛交或口交。其偏好生長於溫暖潮濕的環境，如子宮頸、尿道、口腔或直腸。主要感染成因包括：
- Unprotected Sex:Not using condoms during vaginal, anal, or oral sex significantly increases the risk of infection.
- Multiple Sexual Partners:Having multiple partners or engaging with high-risk individuals raises the likelihood of infection.
- Mother-to-Child Transmission:Having multiple partners or engaging with high-risk individuals raises the likelihood of infection.
- Multiple Sexual Partners:Pregnant women with gonorrhea may pass the bacteria to their newborn during childbirth and potentially causing neonatal conjunctivitis.
- Indirect Contact:Sharing contaminated items (e.g., towels) carries a smaller risk and not a primary transmission route. Gonorrhea does not spread through air, food, water or casual social contact (e.g. handshakes or hugs).
- Female-Specific Risk:Due to the shorter female vagina and urethra, there’s a slight chance of infection from using a toilet seat previously used by an infected person, though the risk is extremely low.
Gonorrhea is highly contagious, and sexually active individuals may unknowingly contract or spread it. The disease is mainly transmitted through bodily fluids or skin contact (typically with an infected person’s genital area). Regular STD testing, sharing results with partners, and using protective measures like condoms are recommended to reduce risk. Maintaining a single sexual partner or reducing the number of partners can also significantly lower the chance of infection. Pregnant women should get tested for gonorrhea during pregnancy to protect their newborns.
4. Gonorrhea Testing Methods
Regular testing is vital to detect STDs early, prevent transmission, and start treatment promptly. Common testing methods include:
- Urine Testing:Detects Neisseria gonorrhoeae DNA or RNA in urine samples.
- Swab Sampling:Collects samples from affected areas (genitals, throat or rectum) for DNA or RNA testing, bacterial culture, or smear analysis.
性活躍人士大概3至6個月做一次性病檢查或在更換性伴侶後檢查。即使無徵狀，定期性病檢查亦非常重要。
5. Gonorrhea Treatment and Prevention
根據世界衛生組織，淋病通常以抗生素治療，惟因抗生素耐藥性增加，治療方案需謹慎選擇。常見治療方法包括：
- Antibiotic Therapy:
o 注射頭孢曲松（Ceftriaxone）。
o 頭孢克肟(Cefixime)配合阿奇黴素（Azithromycin）口服，但只有在頭孢曲松不可行時使用。
If diagnosed with gonorrhea, early detection and undergo correct antibiotic treatment can cure the infection. During treatment, patients should note:
- Partners or sexual contacts must also be treated to prevent reinfection.
- Follow-up testing is needed to confirm the pathogen has been cleared.
- Abstain from sexual activity during treatment and for some time afterward.
- If complications arise, additional treatment may be required.
- When treating gonorrhea, test for other STDs like HIV or syphilis to minimize their impact.
Gonorrhea isn’t something to fear if you stay informed and take preventive steps like regular testing. Don’t let shame stop you from addressing it—delaying can lead to missing the best treatment window. If you suspect an infection, you should avoid self-medicating and follow a doctor’s instructions for the best recovery.
