Gonorrhoea is the medical term for clap. It is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by gonococcus bacteria (Neisseria gonorrhoeae). Along with chlamydia and syphilis, gonorrhoea is one of the three most common STIs in Germany and the world. Gonorrhoea is easily transmitted from person to person through unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sexual intercourse. Infection can also occur through the shared use of vibrators or other sex toys that have not been washed. The gonorrhoea bacteria are mainly found in the discharge from the penis and in the vaginal fluid. The bacteria die quickly outside the human body. They can infect the entrance to the uterus (cervix), the urethra, the rectum and, but less commonly, the throat or eyes. The characteristic signs of gonorrhoea include a thick greenish or yellowish discharge from the vagina or male member. Pain when urinating and bleeding in women between periods are also possible symptoms of gonorrhoea. However, about 10 per cent of infected men and almost half of infected women do not experience any symptoms.

If gonorrhoea is suspected, everyone should get tested as soon as possible because gonorrhoea can lead to serious long-term health problems if left untreated. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women or even infertility are just some of the possible long-term consequences. In addition, gonorrhoea infection can be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby. Pregnant women who may have gonorrhoea should definitely get tested and treated before the baby is born. If the disease is not treated, it can lead to incurable blindness in the baby. Gonococcal infections can be easily diagnosed by examining a sample of discharge taken with a swab. In men, the bacteria can also be detected in the urine. Gonorrhoea is treated with antibiotics, although there is already a lot of resistance. Therefore, a visit to the doctor is unavoidable in the case of a gonococcal infection. It is also very important to treat your sexual partner at the same time and consistently, otherwise repeated mutual infections can occur. By the way, condoms, lickcloths and femidoms protect against this and other STIs. When having sexual intercourse outside a committed partnership, protection should not be dispensed with under any circumstances. Even shared sex toys should always be cleaned thoroughly, and vibrators are best used only with condoms.