Sexually Transmitted Disease: Chlamydia
Sandra Rodriguez
BIOL 2402.46203
Sal Frisella
3 August 2017 Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease that affects roughly 300,000 people anually (NCBI.NIH.gov). Gonorrhea is caused by the spread of an infectious microbe called Neiserria gonorrhoeae. This bacterium grows and multiplies in warm and moist environments, which is why it is mostly found in the mucous membranes of the reproductive tract and the mouth. Like most STD’s, gonorrhea can only be spread through sexual contact with an infected person, whether it be vaginal, anal, or oral contact. Gonorrhea can also be spread from mother to baby during a natural childbirth.
Once in the body, this bacterium targets columnar epithelial cells in the basal membrane and uses its pilli to attach.
Those at a higher risk of acquiring this sexually transmitted disease include …show more content…
A diagnosis will be done by taking either a urine sample or a swab smear and culturing the bacteria (AUSTIN). Those who begin treatment are prescribed antibiotics such as ceftriaxone and doxycycline. Pregnant women are treated with ceftriaxone or cefixime (WEB.edu). Although, medication can be used to treat gonorrhea, the damage done prior to treatment is irreversible. Cases of gonorrhea that are left untreated increase the risk of permanent damage to the body. In males, untreated gonorrhea can lead to problems involving the vas deferens, which can ultimately lead to infertility (CDC.gov). In females, untreated gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease. Pelvic inflammatory disease causes other complications such as the formation of scar tissue in the fallopian tubes, ectopic pregnancies, infertility, and long-term abdominal and pelvic pain (CDC.gov). In severe cases, gonorrhea can even spread to your blood and joints (CDC.gov). Untreated cases of gonorrhea can also increase the risk of contracting