The Facts
Gonorrhea is the second most common sexually transmitted infection in North America. Only chlamydia infects more people. Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The infection can affect mucous linings in the vagina, cervix, penis, rectum, throat, and eyes. In rare cases, it can affect other parts of the body.
It is estimated that more than 700,000 Americans are infected with gonorrhea each year, but only half of these cases are reported. From the mid-1970s to the late 1990s the gonorrhea rate in the United States declined, and it then stayed stable for several years, but in 2005 and 2006 the rate increased.
People having sex without the use of condoms are more likely to acquire this infection, as are people who have multiple sexual partners.