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Pharyngeal gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease that infects the throat, often following oral sex. It can be asymptomatic, making it easy to spread, and can cause a severe sore throat when symptomatic. Antibiotics are used to treat it, and safe sex practices should be followed to prevent its spread.
Pharyngeal gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease also known as gonorrhea of the throat or oral gonorrhea. Instead of the main infection occurring on or near the genitals, this form of the disease results in infection with the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium in the throat, typically following oral intercourse with an infected partner. When symptomatic, pharyngeal gonorrhea can cause a severe sore throat, but not all people show symptoms of the disease.
The fact that pharyngeal gonorrhea can be asymptomatic may be significant. While some people may recover without treatment, they can also run the risk of carrying the bacteria and infecting partners with repeated oral sexual activity. This type of disease has occurred in high percentages of adolescents who engage in oral sex in groups and, until it is treated, can continue to be transmitted. A high incidence of this disease has also been noted in some male homosexual groups if they do not practice safe sex.
When pharyngeal gonorrhea is accompanied by symptoms, they usually occur within a week of first transmitting the infection. Most often what people notice is a dry, hoarse, or extremely scratchy throat. At the same time, a slight fever or general flu-like symptoms may occur, and cases of pharyngeal gonorrhea are very often dismissed by people as signs of the onset of a flu or a cold. It is hoped that those infected will make the link between symptoms and any risky endeavors in the past few weeks and will seek treatment from a doctor.
In a doctor’s office, people may have a throat culture that confirms the presence of Neisseria. When confirmed, doctors usually prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. Doctors generally give patients guidelines on when they can resume normal sexual activities, but these can vary depending on the type of antibiotics used and whether they are adequately addressing the infection.
At the same time, anyone with pharyngeal gonorrhea needs to consider potential sources of infection. This disease does not occur by chance and results from the passage of bacteria during specific engagement in certain behaviors. If people get the disease early, it can make good sense whether their partners need to be told. These partners need to be tested for the disease and may also require treatment. Without all circuit components being tested and given proper care, disease can still be passed back and forth.
Clearly, pursuing safer sex practices is also beneficial. Condoms should be worn regardless of the type of sexual intercourse, to avoid direct contact between the mucous membranes, mouth and genitals. They can reduce the incidence of disease and protect partners from exchanging bacteria or viruses that cause diseases such as gonorrhea.
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