What to do if you test positive for gonorrhoea
What is gonorrhoea?
Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection that is passed on through sexual contact. It is usually treated with an antibiotic. Symptoms aren’t always present so people can have the infection without knowing, so testing is often the only way to know.
What to do next
- Gonorrhoea must be treated in a sexual health clinic. You can use the tool below to find nearby services: Find a sexual health clinic - NHS
- The recommended treatment is normally an antibiotic injection, and a swab will be completed at the time of your treatment to check for antibiotic resistance.
- Avoid sexual contact until you have been advised that the infection has been treated successfully.
- Partners should be tested and treated before any further sexual contact.
Why treatment is important
Without treatment Gonorrhoea can cause inflammation and scarring. This can cause some people chronic pain and, in some cases, problems with fertility. If treatment is taken correctly, these health complications can normally be avoided. Without treatment you will still be infectious and able to pass the infection onto others.
For further information on gonorrhoea please see:
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