Short & Long term Effects |
Essential Question: What happens if Gonorrhea goes untreated for extended periods? |
Gonorrhea is curable, and will cause no long term problems if treated early on. On the emotional side, short-term feelings of worry, panic, guilt, and shame may be evident. The immediate physical effects can be viewed on the signs and symptoms area of our site. Note that your short-term effects/symptoms will depend on what type of gonorrhea you may have contracted. In men, but more so women, symptoms of genital, anal, and throat gonorrhea may go unnoticed.
Without consulting a doctor, the following longterm effects can be devastating:
Without consulting a doctor, the following longterm effects can be devastating:
Untreated Gonorrhea in Women Often results in: |
UNTREATED GONORRHEA IN MEN OFTEN RESULTS IN: |
- Ectopic (tubal) Pregnancy
-PID - Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (A very serious infection of the female reproductive organs) -Infertility -Abscess in or near the ovaries (pockets of pus) -Chronic Pelvic pain |
-Inflammation of the Epididymis
- Inflammation of the prostate |
When gonorrhea gets out of hand - Understanding DGI
A disseminated gonococcal infection, better known as DGI is the spread of the gonorrhea bacteria to sites in the body other than the genitals, throat, or eyes.
The bacteria can spread to the bloodstream causing sepsis - a serious medical condition that can cause blood clots and a life-threatening drop in blood pressure known as septic shock.
The bacteria can surround the spinal cord and brain (meningitis) leading to brain damage or brain death.
It can also cause inflammation of the heart and skeletal joints.
The bacteria can spread to the bloodstream causing sepsis - a serious medical condition that can cause blood clots and a life-threatening drop in blood pressure known as septic shock.
The bacteria can surround the spinal cord and brain (meningitis) leading to brain damage or brain death.
It can also cause inflammation of the heart and skeletal joints.