Both males and females can catch it. Sometimes people can have it and not know it because they have no symptoms of it and feel normal in every way but this doesnÕt mean its not there. Others may have symptoms and these include:
A liquid (discharge) coming from the tip of the penis or from the vagina
A burning sensation when trying to pass urine
If its in the rectum (bum) they may have constipation or a discharge on their bowel movement
If its in the throat then this maybe painful
Not everyone with Gonorrhoea will have these symptoms or all of them at the one time.
The only way to know you definitely have it is to be tested. The test involves the doctor using a cotton bud (swab) to take a sample and to look at it under a microscope. The swabs taken depend on the type of sexual contact there has been. For oral sex a swab will be needed from the throat. For penetration a swab from inside the penis and the vagina will be needed, and for anal sex a swab from the anus will be taken.
Gonorrhoea can be treated with antibiotics taken with water and it is always a good idea to avoid sexual contact when being tested and treated and until the doctor has given you the all clear. It is always advised that you tell the person(s) you have recently had sex with to go and get tested and treated. If you use condoms properly, it is quite hard to catch gonorrhoea. If you are concerned about catching it from oral sex, you could use a flavoured condom over the penis or cut one open and lay it flat over the girls lips (vulva).