Summary

• Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that you can pass on to someone during sex.
• Symptoms of gonorrhoea are similar to those of another STI, chlamydia, so you are likely to be tested for that at the same time.
• It is important to identify which infection you have because the treatments for gonorrhoea and chlamydia are different.
• The only way to find out if you have it is by having a test.
• This is done with a NAAT (Nuclear Acid Amplification Test).
• You can have this and other tests for STIs through a GP, health clinic or even online. You can collect the sample for testing yourself.

What is gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea is an infection caused by bacteria and is one of one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is generally transmitted through sexual contact with an infected partner. 

Testing for gonorrhoea is important because most people with the infection have no symptoms and can pass it on to sexual partners long after they first become infected. 

Left untreated, gonorrhoea can lead to serious long-term health problems. Gonorrhoea is simple to test and treat. Being infected in the past does not give you immunity and you can become infected again.

There is a much higher risk of developing other STI’s including HIV if you are infected with gonorrhoea. This is because of inflammation at the site of infection.

Why get tested?

Having a sexual health check and getting tested regularly for sexually transmissible infections (STIs) is a normal part of having a safe, healthy and confident sex life.

The only way to know for sure whether you have an STI is to be tested. STIs include chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis, syphilis and HIV.  The best way to do this is to ask your GP or sexual health clinic about getting tested for STIs as part of a general sexual health check.

If you have symptoms

If you have symptoms of gonorrhoea, they may not appear until between one and three weeks after you have been infected.

Some of the symptoms of gonorrhoea are similar to those of chlamydia, so you are likely to be tested for that at the same time. It is important to identify which infection you have because the treatments for gonorrhoea and chlamydia are different.

Both infections can cause a burning when you pee, an abnormal discharge (fluid) from the vagina or penis, a discharge from the rectum or pain or bleeding from the rectum. Men can experience swelling in their testicles.

One of the biggest differences between gonorrhoea and chlamydia symptoms is the type of discharge that can come from the vagina or penis. The discharge from chlamydia is usually clear or milky, while the discharge from gonorrhoea tends to be thicker and more yellow.

Some people who have a gonorrhoea infection have itchiness and pain during bowel movements.

If you don’t have symptoms

Some people are at higher risk of having gonorrhoea. It is most commonly diagnosed in men who have sex with men and travellers returning from high prevalence areas overseas. However, anyone can get gonorrhoea.

If you are sexually active your medical team may suggest regular testing, even if you don’t have any symptoms. You may also want to consider an STI test if you have more than one sexual partner, if your partner has recently had an STI or if you have a new partner.

If you are male and have sex with other men, you should have tests for gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis and HIV every three months. People who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, who are living in remote communities and are under 30 are also at higher risk and should have regular tests.

If you are pregnant, testing for gonorrhoea and other STIs will be offered as part of your routine antenatal screening to reduce the risk of complications and risks to your baby. You may also be asked to have tests for herpes simplex and hepatitis B because these can also affect the baby.

How to get a test

You can have a test for chlamydia or gonorrhoea and other STIs through a GP, sexual health clinic, community health clinic or Medicare urgent care clinic.

If you are in Queensland and can’t get to a medical service, you can order a free test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea online through 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) Webtest or via the website.  

If you live somewhere else in Australia, you can find your nearest testing centre by visiting the HealthDirect website.

Some private laboratories offer an online service in other states, but these may require you to pay.

At home testing

At-home testing kits can be bought through pharmacies for women (not men) who have symptoms that they think may be from a chlamydia or gonorrhoea infection or who think they may be at risk from a sexual partner.

They work by detecting antigens in a swab taken from the vagina.

If you have a positive result from this swab, it is recommended that you see your doctor or clinic and have a NAAT (Nuclear Acid Amplification Test) test performed by a laboratory to confirm it.

If you have a negative result from a home chlamydia and gonorrhoea test and your symptoms continue, or if you are still concerned, it is important to see your doctor or clinic.

Your symptoms could be due to another bacterial infection, a yeast infection (candidiasis), bacterial vaginosis, or a urinary tract infection (UTI).

These require medical professionals to diagnose and treat.

Having the test

Sample
A gonorrhoea test looks for the bacteria that causes gonorrhoea, which is called Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Collecting a sample if you do not have symptoms

If you are male, a first catch urine (pee) sample collected at any time of the day is preferred. This is the first part of the urine stream passed. The reason for this is that the first part of the urine stream contains more infected cells if you have gonorrhoea.

If you are female, a self-collected vaginal swab is recommended. A first-catch urine sample should only be considered if a vaginal swab cannot be taken. First catch urine is not as sensitive as a vaginal swab. 

Gonorrhoea is also diagnosed by taking a swab, using a long cotton bud, from any place that may have become infected – the cervix (vagina) if you are female, the urethra if you are male, or anus or throat (either gender).

The sample can be collected by yourself.

Preparation 
Tell your medical team if you are taking antibiotics or, if you are female, using douches or vaginal creams. These can interfere with your test results. 

Your results

Gonorrhoea is detected in your sample by measuring the genetic material of the bacteria using a technique called nucleic acid amplification. The test is very sensitive and can detect very small amounts of the bacteria. NAATs are the only recommended test for gonorrhoea.

Reading your test report

Your results will generally be presented along with those of your other tests on the same form. You will see separate columns or lines for each of these tests.  

Any more to know?

After completing your prescribed antibiotic treatment, you may be asked to be retested after two weeks. This helps ensure the infection is fully cleared. 

Questions to ask your doctor

The choice of tests your doctor makes will be based on your medical history and symptoms.   It is important that you tell them everything you think might help.

You play a central role in making sure your test results are accurate. Do everything you can to make sure the information you provide is correct and follow instructions closely.

Talk to your doctor about any medications you are taking. Find out if you need to fast or stop any particular foods, medications or supplements. These may affect your results. Ask:

• Why does this test need to be done?
• Do I need to prepare (such as fast or avoid medications) for the sample collection?
• Will an abnormal result mean I need further tests?
• How could it change the course of my care?
• What will happen next, after the test?

More information

Pathology and diagnostic imaging reports can be added to your My Health Record.

You and your healthcare provider can now access your results whenever and wherever needed. Get further trustworthy health information and advice from healthdirect.