Internal Medicine in Lagos
Gonorrhoea (Goloria)
The signs, what causes it, and when to see a internal medicine specialist in Lagos.
Signs to look for
Gonorrhoea (Goloria)
- Thick white, yellow or green discharge from the penis
- Burning or pain when passing urine
- Unusual vaginal discharge, or bleeding between periods or after sex
- Pain or swelling in one testicle
- Lower abdominal pain or pain during sex in women
Gonorrhoea, often called goloria or 'the clap', is a bacterial infection passed through vaginal, anal or oral sex. In men it usually causes a thick discharge and burning on passing urine within a week or two. In women it is often silent, or mistaken for toilet infection, while it spreads to the womb and tubes. It is cured with the right antibiotic, but it has become resistant to many of the tablets sold at chemists, so a test and the correct treatment matter more than they used to.
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- Thick white, yellow or green discharge from the penis
- Burning or pain when passing urine
- Unusual vaginal discharge, or bleeding between periods or after sex
- Pain or swelling in one testicle
- Lower abdominal pain or pain during sex in women
- Discharge, pain or itching around the anus
- Often no symptoms at all, especially in women and in the throat
When to See a Doctor
Get tested if you have discharge or burning, if a partner has gonorrhoea, or after sex without a condom with a new partner. The PCR test is reliable from about two weeks after the risk. See a doctor the same day for fever with lower abdominal pain, a painful swollen testicle, or joint pain with a rash, which can mean the infection has spread. After a possible exposure to HIV in the last 72 hours, go to a hospital for PEP first.
Treatment options
- A PCR test on a urine sample or a swab you take yourself, the method WHO recommends
- A single injection of ceftriaxone, the first-line treatment in current WHO guidance
- Treatment for chlamydia at the same time where it is also found
- Treatment of every partner from the last two months, and no sex until a week after you have both been treated
- A retest at three months, because reinfection is common
- A swab culture if symptoms do not settle, to test which antibiotics still work
Common Questions
Can I treat goloria with tablets from the chemist?
It is not a good idea. Gonorrhoea is now resistant to ciprofloxacin and many other tablets sold over the counter, so the symptoms may fade while the infection stays and damages fertility. A test confirms it, and the right treatment, usually one injection, cures it.
How soon after sex can gonorrhoea be tested?
The PCR test picks it up from about two weeks after the risk. Testing earlier can miss it. If you have symptoms, see a doctor straight away rather than waiting.
Can gonorrhoea cause infertility?
Yes. Untreated, it can scar the fallopian tubes in women and the tubes that carry sperm in men. Early treatment prevents most of this.
Does my partner need treatment if they feel fine?
Yes. Most women and many men with gonorrhoea have no symptoms. If your partner is not treated, you will catch it again.
Need Help?
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Complete STI screen with PCR, ₦99,500Talk to a doctor privately, ₦15,000Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.