The phrase “the claps” is a colloquial term for Gonorrhea, a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This infection targets the mucous membranes of the body, primarily affecting the genital tract, rectum, and throat. Gonorrhea is highly prevalent, especially among young, sexually active individuals, and it requires prompt medical attention to prevent serious, lasting health issues. Understanding the signs, transmission methods, and treatment protocols for this infection is important for maintaining sexual health.
How the Infection Spreads
Gonorrhea transmission occurs through contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus of an infected person. The bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae requires a mucosal surface to establish infection, meaning it is spread through the exchange of sexual fluids during vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse. Ejaculation does not need to take place for the bacterium to be passed. The organism is fragile and cannot survive for long outside the human body, which is why it is not transmitted through casual contact, such as sharing toilet seats.
The infection can also be transmitted from a pregnant person to their baby during childbirth (vertical transmission). If untreated, this can cause a severe eye infection in the newborn called gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum, which may potentially lead to blindness.
Recognizing the Signs
A significant challenge with Gonorrhea is that many individuals who contract the infection remain asymptomatic, meaning they experience no noticeable symptoms. This lack of signs allows the infection to spread easily and progress without detection. When symptoms do appear, they typically manifest within two to fourteen days after exposure.
Symptoms in men often include a burning sensation during urination and a discharge from the penis that can be white, yellow, or green. Some men may also experience painful or swollen testicles, a condition called epididymitis.
For women, symptoms are often milder and more easily mistaken for a common bladder or vaginal infection, such as increased vaginal discharge, pain during urination, or vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods.
Infections that occur outside the genital tract are frequently asymptomatic. Rectal Gonorrhea can cause anal itching, discharge, bleeding, or pain during bowel movements. A throat infection, acquired through oral sex, usually presents with no symptoms but can occasionally result in a sore throat or swollen lymph nodes.
Testing and Treatment Protocols
Diagnosis of Gonorrhea is performed using nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), which detect the genetic material of the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium. Testing usually involves collecting a urine sample for men, while women may require a swab from the cervix or vagina. Swabs from the rectum and throat are also collected based on a person’s reported sexual activities, since the infection can occur in various parts of the body.
Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics. Due to concerns about increasing antibiotic resistance, the standard treatment protocol involves a single, high-dose injection of ceftriaxone. Current guidelines prioritize ceftriaxone monotherapy for uncomplicated cases, though past treatment included dual therapy with azithromycin. It is recommended that all sex partners of a person diagnosed with Gonorrhea also receive treatment to prevent reinfection and further spread. This may be managed through Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT), where medication is provided for the partner without a full medical examination.
Untreated Health Consequences
If a Gonorrhea infection is left untreated, it can lead to serious, long-term health complications that extend beyond the initial site of infection. In women, the bacterium can ascend into the upper reproductive tract, causing Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). PID can result in chronic pelvic pain, scarring of the fallopian tubes, and an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy or infertility.
Men who do not receive treatment may develop epididymitis, a painful inflammation of the coiled tube at the back of the testicle. This inflammation can potentially lead to infertility in men.
In rare instances, the infection can spread through the bloodstream, leading to Disseminated Gonococcal Infection (DGI). DGI is a systemic condition that can cause fever, skin lesions, and septic arthritis, which is a painful infection of the joints.