Syphilis STDs and Pregnancy Gonorrhea Gonorrhea Defined Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacterium that can grow and multiply easily in mucous membranes of the body. The bacteria can also grow in the mouth, throat, and anus. Ejaculation does not have to occur for gonorrhea to be transmitted or acquired. Gonorrhea can also be spread from mother to child during birth. Individuals who have had gonorrhea and received treatment may get infected again if they have sexual contact with persons infected with gonorrhea.
Gonorrhea is a very common infectious disease.
Each year approximately 650,000 people in the United States are infected with gonorrhea. In 1998, the rate of reported gonorrhea infections was 132.9 per 100,000 persons. In 1998, approximately 1 of every 30 African American youths aged 15 to 24 had gonorrhea. Symptoms include a burning sensation when urinating and a yellowish white discharge from the penis. Sometimes men with gonorrhea get painful or swollen testicles.