What is gonorrhea?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s start with the basics. Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae<\/em>It can infect the genitals, the rectum and the throat. It\u2019s mainly transmitted through vaginal, anal or oral sex with an infected person ccording to information from the Government of Quebec<\/a>. In Quebec, after a sharp rise in cases in 2022 and 2023, gonorrhea is showing signs of leveling off, but rates remain much higher than before the pandemic, according to the INSPQ\u2019s Portrait des ITSS 2024.<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udca1 Fun fact:<\/strong> you may have heard someone call it \u201cthe clap\u201d without realizing they were talking about gonorrhea. Same infection, just a more colourful nickname that\u2019s stuck around over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not necessarily, and that\u2019s exactly what makes gonorrhea so easy to pass on. Many people, especially people with a vagina, have no symptoms<\/strong>. And regardless of sex, throat and rectal infections go unnoticed in the vast majority of cases. That\u2019s why testing is the only reliable way to know if you have it, and why it\u2019s important to include throat and anal swabs when those areas may have been exposed, in addition to a urine or genital test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When symptoms do appear, it\u2019s often 2 and 7 days<\/strong> after exposure, and their intensity varies a lot from person to person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Possible symptoms include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n At Prelib, gonorrhea testing is done through self-collection, based on the sites that may have been exposed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since the infection can settle in different places depending on sexual practices, the swabs needed vary from person to person. By filling out the medical questionnaire on our patient portal, you\u2019ll get recommendations tailored to your situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare professional. The recommended treatment may vary depending on the site of infection, the person\u2019s medical situation and the guidelines in effect at the time of diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A few key principles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The good news: when properly treated, gonorrhea can be completely cured. That said, according to theNational Institute of Public Health of Quebec<\/a>. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to see a healthcare professional to get the treatment best suited to your situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You hear all kinds of things about gonorrhea\u2026 Some true, some completely false. And it\u2019s normal to feel a little awkward asking certain questions out loud. But these are doubts a lot of people share. So let\u2019s sort fact from fiction together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No, you can\u2019t catch gonorrhea from a toilet seat. The bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae<\/em> needs certain parts of the body (like the urethra, cervix, throat or rectum) to survive. On a toilet seat, it dies quickly. So even if an infected person sat there right before you, there\u2019s no real risk of transmission: gonorrhea doesn\u2019t survive on the seat, or on the skin that touches it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No, you can\u2019t catch gonorrhea from using equipment at the gym. Just like with a toilet seat, the bacterium doesn\u2019t survive on dry surfaces like a weight bench, rowing machine or dumbbells. And the skin that comes into contact with the equipment isn\u2019t a place where gonorrhea can survive either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No. Sharing a glass, utensils or a water bottle isn\u2019t a recognized way of transmitting gonorrhea. It\u2019s mainly passed on through oral, vaginal or anal sex without a condom or dental dam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, it\u2019s possible to catch gonorrhea from a sex toy. Unlike a toilet seat, a glass or gym equipment, a sex toy is used directly during sex, which means infected fluids can stay on it (dildo, vibrator, anal sleeve, etc.). On top of that, tiny abrasions caused by using the toy can increase the risk of transmission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you share a toy, you can lower the risk by putting a new condom on it every time you switch partners or areas (anus, vagina), and by washing it between uses. To learn more, here\u2019s how to use sex toys safely. To learn more, here's an article on how to use your sex toys safely<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, gonorrhea treatment is free in Quebec for people who are infected and their sexual partners, through the RAMQ\u2019s free STI medication program. To get the medication, you first need to see a healthcare professional for a prescription, then bring it to a pharmacy along with your valid health insurance card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At Prelib, if your result is positive, our team will contact you to arrange your treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, gonorrhea can be passed on during unprotected oral sex. The bacterium can settle in the throat, genitals or rectum, and spread from one site to another through mouth-to-penis, mouth-to-vulva or mouth-to-anus contact. Gonorrhea in the throat can cause a sore throat, but it often goes unnoticed, so you can have it without knowing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At Prelib, if you\u2019ve had unprotected oral sex, a throat swab cotton swab<\/strong> may be part of your testing<\/a>. The medical questionnaire will indicate whether it is recommended in your situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, you can pass on gonorrhea even without symptoms. The infection is still in your body and can be transmitted during sex. That\u2019s why testing is recommended after unprotected sex, with a new partner, if you have multiple partners, or after a known exposure to an STI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No, gonorrhea doesn\u2019t clear up on its own and doesn\u2019t fade over time. Without treatment, the infection can linger silently for months, keep spreading to partners and lead to complications depending on where it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, you can get gonorrhea more than once, because your body doesn\u2019t build immunity to it. Reinfection can happen after a new exposure, or if a partner wasn\u2019t treated at the same time as you. That\u2019s why treating partners matters just as much as treating yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, follow your healthcare professional\u2019s instructions before having sex again. Depending on the treatment, you may need to wait until it\u2019s finished, or at least 7 days after a single dose, and until all symptoms have fully cleared. Partners concerned should also have been assessed and treated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No, gonorrhea tests are simple and painless. At Prelib, they usually involve a urine sample and swabs of the sites exposed during sex (anus, throat).<\/p>\n\n\n\n No, you don\u2019t need to wait for symptoms to get tested. As mentioned above, gonorrhea is often asymptomatic, but it can still lead to complications if left untreated. That\u2019s why regular testing is important. tested<\/a> is important for this reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGonorrhea symptoms: can you always notice them?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Gonorrhea testing: how it works<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Gonorrhea: myth or fact?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Can you catch gonorrhea from a toilet seat?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Can you catch gonorrhea from gym equipment?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Can you catch gonorrhea from drinking out of someone\u2019s glass?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Can you catch gonorrhea from a sex toy?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Is gonorrhea treatment free in Quebec?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nCan you get gonorrhea from giving oral sex?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Can you pass on gonorrhea if you don\u2019t have symptoms?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Can gonorrhea go away on its own?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Can you get gonorrhea more than once?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Should you avoid sex during treatment?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Are gonorrhea tests complicated or painful?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Do you need symptoms to get tested for gonorrhea?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Do you have to wait before getting tested for gonorrhea?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n