The colloquial term “the claps” refers to the sexually transmitted infection (STI) known medically as Gonorrhea. This infection is highly contagious. While Gonorrhea can be easily treated with antibiotics, its increasing resistance to certain medications makes public awareness important for effective prevention and management.
What Causes the Infection and How It Spreads
The infection is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which thrives in warm, moist areas of the body. This bacterium is transmitted primarily through direct contact with infected mucous membranes or bodily fluids during sexual activity, including unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
The bacteria can infect several sites in the body, including the urethra, cervix, rectum, and throat. Transmission can occur even without ejaculation, as the bacteria are present in pre-ejaculate and vaginal fluids. A mother with Gonorrhea can also pass the infection to her baby during childbirth, which commonly results in a severe eye infection in the newborn known as ophthalmia neonatorum.
Recognizing the Signs of Infection
Gonorrhea is often called a “silent” infection because many people, especially women, experience no noticeable symptoms at all. When symptoms do appear, they typically develop between two and 14 days after exposure.
In men, the most common indication of a genital infection is a burning sensation during urination. This is often accompanied by a white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis. Pain or swelling in one or both testicles is also possible.
When symptoms are present in women, they may notice an increase in vaginal discharge, which might be watery, creamy, or slightly green. They may also experience painful urination, abnormal bleeding between menstrual periods, or pain during sexual intercourse.
The infection is not limited to the genital tract. Rectal infections can cause anal itching, discharge, bleeding, or pain during bowel movements, though these are frequently asymptomatic. Pharyngeal (throat) infections are common after oral sex but rarely produce symptoms other than a mild sore throat.
Testing Procedures and Current Treatments
Diagnosis of Gonorrhea is typically performed using a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), which detects the genetic material of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. These highly accurate tests can be performed on easily collected samples, such as a urine sample for urethral infections. If the infection is suspected at an extragenital site, a swab may be used to collect a sample from the rectum or the throat.
Current treatment protocols for uncomplicated Gonorrhea have been impacted by the bacteria’s ability to develop antibiotic resistance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recommends a single, intramuscular dose of the antibiotic ceftriaxone for uncomplicated infections.
In some cases, especially where co-infection with Chlamydia is suspected, a second oral antibiotic like azithromycin or doxycycline may be added to the regimen. A “test-of-cure” is often recommended following treatment, particularly for pharyngeal infections or if a less-preferred antibiotic regimen was used, to confirm that the infection has been fully eradicated.
Prevention and Partner Notification
The most effective way to prevent Gonorrhea is to abstain from sexual contact or to be in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has tested negative for all STIs. For sexually active individuals, consistent and correct use of barrier methods, such as male or female condoms, significantly reduces the risk of transmission. Regular screening is a further preventive measure, especially for sexually active women under the age of 25 and men who have sex with men.
Partner notification is necessary to stop the chain of transmission and prevent reinfection. Once diagnosed, a person is advised to inform all recent sexual partners so those individuals can be tested and treated promptly. Healthcare providers can assist with this process, sometimes offering Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT), where medication is given to the patient to take to their partner without a prior medical exam.