Can you get gonorrhea treatment online?
Gonorrhea is a very common and highly treatable sexually transmitted infection (STI). Gonorrhea is especially prevalent among people ages 15 to 24. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), gonorrhea is the second most reported bacterial STI in the United States.
It’s important to understand symptoms that indicate you may have gonorrhea, how it’s spread and how to quickly get tested and treated. We’re here with the information and answers you need to take care of your sexual health.
What causes gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is a treatable STI caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae that affects the mucous membranes of the reproductive tract – the fallopian tubes, cervix and uterus for women and the urethra for both women and men. Less commonly, it can affect the mouth, throat, anus and eyes.
How is gonorrhea spread?
Gonorrhea spreads through unprotected genital, oral or anal sex with someone who is infected, and through semen or vaginal fluids that come into contact with your eye(s). It can also pass from mother to baby during birth. You can’t get gonorrhea or any other STI from casual contact like sharing drinks, holding hands, kissing or using a public restroom.
What are the signs and symptoms of gonorrhea?
When symptoms of gonorrhea occur, they typically appear two to 14 days after exposure. But most people are asymptomatic, and some symptoms resemble those of other common conditions – so it’s important to stay up to date with your STI screenings if you’re sexually active. When symptoms occur, they often show up differently in women and men.
Symptoms of gonorrhea in women
- Burning or painful urination
- Bleeding between periods
- Increased vaginal discharge
Symptoms of gonorrhea in men
- Burning feeling while urinating
- Green, yellow or white discharge from penis
- Swelling or pain in testicles
In both women and men, gonorrhea can cause a sore throat and rectal discharge, itching, bleeding and painful bowel movements.
How is gonorrhea diagnosed?
The only way to know for sure if you have gonorrhea is to get tested. The CDC recommends annual testing for gonorrhea for sexually active women under age 25 and those over age 25 who have new or multiple partners or have a partner who tested positive for a STI. It’s also recommended that gay and bisexual men with multiple sexual partners test annually.
To test, a urine sample or swab of the affected area is collected in a clinic setting and sent to a lab for testing. But women who are experiencing symptoms or who want to get tested as a preventive measure can skip the trip into the clinic and get an at-home STI testing kit online at Virtuwell.
What if my partner or I test positive for gonorrhea?
If you test positive for gonorrhea, it’s important to get treatment as soon as possible. Women and men who have a sexual partner who tests positive for gonorrhea can also get treatment without completing a test. A clinician will prescribe an antibiotic to treat and clear up the bacterial infection. Make sure to take the whole course of antibiotics prescribed, even if your symptoms start to go away before you finish the medication. Also, take action to contact anyone you had sexual contact with within the last 60 days so they can get treatment too.
How to get gonorrhea treatment online
Standard treatment for a positive gonorrhea test involves an in-person clinic visit. However, both men and women who are exposed to gonorrhea can obtain treatment online at Virtuwell. This means that if a partner tests positive for gonorrhea, you don’t need to wait for a positive test result to obtain treatment. You can complete an online visit at Virtuwell today by answering a few simple questions, and one of our clinicians will provide a customized treatment plan and prescription.
Protect yourself and your sexual partners with easy and discreet online STI testing and treatment at Virtuwell.
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