Gonorrhea

Cermak Immediate Care

Immediate Care & Primary Care Practice located in Cicero, IL, Roseland, IL, Little Village, IL, and North Lawndale, IL

Like many sexually transmitted infections (STIs), gonorrhea can come without symptoms and requires early intervention if you want to avoid long-term complications. At Cermak Immediate Care in Cicero, and Roseland in Chicago, Illinois, Ruchir Thakkar, DO, provides STI screening and can treat gonorrhea infections with or without symptoms. Call Cermak Immediate Care or schedule your visit online today.

Gonorrhea Q & A

What is gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a bacterial STI that can infect any warm and moist part of your body but is most common in your urethra, anus, vagina, or throat. You can get it at any age regardless of gender, but it doesn’t always have symptoms.

It’s important to get tested and find out about a gonorrhea infection as soon as possible, because a long-term infection can bring serious complications, like infertility. Fortunately, and contrary to what you might believe, gonorrhea is treatable and you can get rid of the infection.

While sexual contact is the most common way to get gonorrhea, the infection can also be passed from mother to child during childbirth.

What are the symptoms of gonorrhea?

Not every case of gonorrhea comes with symptoms. Yet, you can still transmit the disease if you don’t have symptoms but are carrying the bacteria. Symptoms vary based on where the infection is located (e.g., throat, anus, or genitals) and based on which genitals you have. They can include:

  • Increased urinary frequency and urgency
  • Painful urination
  • Unusual vaginal discharge
  • Pus-like penile discharge
  • Pain during sex
  • Painful bowel movements
  • Persistent sore throat with visible redness

The team evaluates any symptoms you have but can also provide STI screening for anyone who may have come into contact with a gonorrhea infection. Regular testing helps you detect STIs even without symptoms and can help prevent their transmission.

How is gonorrhea treated?

Cermak Immediate Care can provide the necessary treatment for gonorrhea after detecting the infection with a urine test, blood test, or fluid swab. Most cases of gonorrhea clear up when you take the right antibiotics.

The main antibiotic prescribed for gonorrhea is a one-time injection called ceftriaxone. You might also need to take oral medication for seven days after that. The symptoms should clear up pretty quickly, but you shouldn’t stop taking your medications just because you no longer have pain or increased urinary frequency.

The team at Cermak Immediate Care might ask that you come back to the offices for a follow-up visit to verify that your infection is gone.

For thorough STI testing and gonorrhea treatment, call Cermak Immediate Care or schedule an appointment online today.