Girls may also experience vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods . If the infection becomes more widespread and moves into the uterus or fallopian tubes, it may cause abdominal pain and swelling and a fever. A guy who has gonorrhea is much more likely to notice symptoms earlier than a girl, though it is quite possible for a guy to have gonorrhea and not know it. A girl who has been exposed to gonorrhea may notice the first symptoms from about 1 to 3 weeks later. A guy who has been exposed to gonorrhea may notice symptoms from about 2 days to 2 weeks later.
Gonorrhea can be very dangerous to a person's health if it is left untreated.
Gonorrhea infection during pregnancy can cause problems in the fetus and in newborns, including stillbirth, blindness , or meningitis . In both guys and girls, gonorrhea can cause a rash, a fever, and painful or infected joints, most commonly in the knee. If you think you may have gonorrhea or if you have had a partner who may have gonorrhea, you need to see your doctor or gynecologist . He or she will do an exam and swab the vagina or penis for secretions, which will then be analyzed. The doctor may also perform blood tests for other STDs, such as syphilis .