Once called "the clap," and once much more widespread than it is today, gonorrhea is still one of the most common STIs in North America. Passed mostly through unprotected sexual activity, gonorrhea is an infection of direct contact. If the bacteria touch the genitals, gonorrhea develops there. If it touches the mouth or the throat, it develops there. It can even develop in the eye, such as when mothers with gonorrhea pass it to their newborn.
Symptoms of gonorrhea vary from men to women. Men may feel the symptoms of gonorrhea more often and more quickly than women. Among other symptoms, men may experience discharge from the penis.
Women, for the most part, don't have symptoms unless there are complications. One such complication is pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can lead to infertility.
If someone has the signs of gonorrhea, a doctor would likely take blood and tissue samples. Since gonorrhea is caused by bacteria, antibiotics will hopefully do the trick to treat it, though symptoms may linger.
Just as with other STIs, gonorrhea can be prevented through safer sex practices. If you fear that you may have gonorrhea, visit a doctor or clinic and get tested. Avoid sex until you know for sure, and make sure to alert sexual partner(s) about your condition. They may need to be tested as well.