What Are The Characteristics Of Gonorrhea?

There is a 1 – 10 days incubation period before infectious symptoms develop and thus a very short time in which to interrupt the chain of transmission.  The problem is further compounded by most women and some men being asymptomatic until complications develop.  

Columnar is most easily infected.  Transitional and stratified squamous epithelium is more resistant and thus the bladder, vulva, vagina, and uterus are rarely involved.

Infection in a woman may result in:

1. Dysuria (but rarely frequency) due to urethritis.
2. Possibly a scanty white or purulent vaginal discharge due to cervicitis (trichomonas may also be present).
3. Infection of Skene's tubules or Bartholin's glands; abscess formation and pain on walking may result.
4. Pelvic inflammatory disease (even after recovery, chronic abdominal pain and a predisposition to infertility or to tubal pregnancy remains).
5. Parametritis; most likely post natally from spread through the placental site.

Infection in a man may result in:
6. Dysuria, frequency and purulent discharge due to urethritis.
7. Infection of the prostate gland, seminal vesicles, epididymides and testes cause painful swelling and occasionally infertility.

Rectal and pharyngeal infection can occur in either sex, often without local signs.  Systemic infection resulting in arthritis, meningitis or endocarditis is now rare as antibiotics prescribed for some other infection may result in coincidental cure.