In 2009, GUM clinics were seeing about 17,400 new cases of gonorrhoea a year.

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection (previously known as the clap) it is caused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrheoae or gonococcus. It is passed through sexual activity including intercourse, oral sex, intimate physical contact, sharing vibrators or other sex toys, or from mother to baby during birth.
Gonorrhoea is the second most frequently sexually transmitted infection in the UK and the number of cases are rising. Sexually active men aged 20-24 years and women aged between 16 and 19 are most commonly affected

However, the disease can also spread to the Fallopian tubes and other internal genital organs, causing such conditions as salpingitis and pelvic inflammatory disease. These may lead to to infertility.

Gonorrhoea of the rectum can occur in people who practice anal sex. In pregnant women, gonorrhoea can be passed from an infected woman to her newborn infant during delivery.

Symptoms usually appear between one and fourteen days after infection.

Presentation varies and may include any of the following symtoms:

• A strong, unpleasant smelling discharge from the vagina, which may be green or yellow in colour
• Pain or tenderness in the lower abdominal area
• A burning sensation when urinating
• Irritation or discharge from the anus

Treatment

Gonorrhoea is treated with a single dose of antibiotics taken orally. Sometimes, you may be given a single dose of antibiotics by injection. Some strains of gonorrhoea are becoming resistant to some antibiotics. If the condition does not clear up after treatment by traditional antibiotics, your doctor may prescribe a stronger variation.

Treatment for gonorrhoea must be given as quickly as possible, as the disease can cause complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) if it is left untreated. It is also important that all the patients’ current and recent sexual partners are tested and treated for the disease.