Does A Gonorrhea Infection Smell?
Gonorrhea is a common sexually-transmitted infection (STI). It is a bacterial infection, caused by the species Neisseria gonorrhea. It can affect people of any age and sex, however, is particularly common among teens and young adults between the ages of 15 and 24 [1, 2].
This common STI tends to target warm, moist areas of the body, including the urethra, eyes, throat, vagina, anus, and the female reproductive tract, which includes the fallopian tubes, cervix, and uterus. It can affect people of any age, anatomy, or gender, but it’s particularly common among teens and young adults between the ages of 15 and 24 [1, 2].
Signs and Symptoms of Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea tends to thrive in warm and moist areas of the body. Consequently, a large number of areas can be affected, including the urethra, eyes, throat, vagina, anus, and the whole female reproductive tract (including fallopian tubes, cervix and uterus).
However, the most common presentation of gonorrhea is asymptomatic - a large number of patients do not experience any symptoms.
If the disease presents with symptoms, these can include:
- discharge,
- painful urination or bowel movements,
- itching,
- greater frequency or urgency of urination,
- pain, discharge or bleeding from the anus.
In men specifically, symptoms may include:
- discharge or a pus-like drip from the penis,
- discoloration and/or swelling on the urethral opening at the tip of the penis,
- pain and/or swelling in the testicles.
In women specifically, symptoms may include:
- watery, creamy or green-ish vaginal discharge,
- heavier periods and/or spotting between periods,
- pain during penetrative sex,
- sharp pain in the lower abdomen.
Gonorrhea can also affect the mouth and throat in both sexes, presenting with:
- sore throat,
- redness and inflammation in the throat,
- swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
Rarely, gonorrhea can affect the eyes, presenting with:
- eye pain or irritation,
- swelling of the eyelids,
- redness of the eyes,
- stringy white or yellow mucus or pus around the eye [1, 2, 3].
Treatment for Gonorrhea
As gonorrhea is a bacterial infection, antibiotics are an effective treatment, which typically resolves the infection within a week.
The infection is commonly treated with a single intramuscular injection of an antibiotic called ceftriaxone. Sometimes, if a co-infection with chlamydia is suspected, another antibiotic, Doxycycline, taken as a tablet twice daily for a week, is added to the treatment regimen.
Patients treated for gonorrhea should undergo a repeated examination within three months of treatment, as re-infections are very likely [1, 2].
Does Gonorrhea smell? Gonorrhea and Odor.
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However, this odor is not distinctive, and cannot be used to confirm the diagnosis. This can be the case with other infections, such as E. coli, a common urinary tract infection in women, which has been described to have a 'fishy' smell.
Gonorrhea and body odor
Interestingly, the presence of gonorrhea infection was shown to influence body odor. In a study on young men, samples of sweat were collected and given to women to evaluate. The women were able to recognise the infected individuals based on odour, and frequently described a "putrid" smell associated with the infected samples. In contrast, the samples of men who were healthy or previously treated for gonorrhea were described as more pleasant [4].
How to Prevent a Gonorrhea Infection
Preventing gonorrhea, and other STIs depends on practicing safe sex, particularly in using barrier protection methods such as condoms (male or female) or dental dams. These should be used with oral, vaginal or anal sex, as they significantly decrease the risk of contracting STIs [1, 2].
It is important to discuss STI status before a sexual activity with a partner, and get regularly tested for STIs, particularly when you have multiple sexual partners [1, 2].
Importance of Regular Testing for STIs
Regular STI testing is an important part of maintaining your sexual health. It is recommended to be screened routinely when you are sexually active [5].
As with every disease, early detection and intervention is important. This is because an untreated infection can progress into potentially life-threatening complications. For gonorrhea, this could mean pelvic inflammatory disease, which is a medical emergency that requires hospitalisation.
Regular testing can also help identify an infection that is present without symptoms, therefore ensuring that you get treated and do not unknowingly transmit the infection to others [6].
Re-testing is also important, especially after you had an STI that was treated. Gonorrhea and chlamydia are prone to re-infection [7].
Summary
In summary, gonorrhea is a commonly-occurring bacterial infection that can present with discharge which may have an unpleasant smell. Interestingly, an active gonorrhea infection may also influence the individual's body odor.