Gonorrhea in Females
What can be done to prevent the infection?
Many cases of gonorrhea can be prevented by following safer sex guidelines. Prompt treatment of the infected person and any sexual partners will prevent further spread. Pregnant women should be tested for gonorrhea and treated if they have the infection.
What are the long-term effects of the infection?
Gonorrhea can cause serious long-term effects if it is not treated effectively. These effects include the following:
congestive heart failure, a condition in which a weakened heart cannot pump blood effectively
death from overwhelming sepsis or bloodstream infection
endocarditis, which is an infection involving the heart
increased risk for tubal pregnancy
infertility in females and males
meningitis, or infection of the brain and spinal cord
pelvic inflammatory disease, or widespread infection in the pelvis
septic arthritis, with infection of one or more joints
visual impairment, including blindness
What are the risks to others?
Gonococcal infections are very contagious. They are spread from person to person during sexual contact or childbirth.
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