I have gonorrhoea – what will happen if I don't get treatment?

Q. I have been diagnosed with gonorrhoea. What are the long-term implications for untreated sexually transmitted infections?

A. Many people do not adhere to the antibiotic treatment prescribed to treat the disease and end up with partially treated infections. Global concern about antibiotic-resistant bacteria includes sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Gonorrhoea specifically is in the spotlight for new strains that are making treatment difficult.

Untreated gonorrhoea can spread into the uterus and fallopian tubes, causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which, when it heals, may result in scarring of the tubes. The scarring in the tubes leads to bigger risks of pregnancy complications and infertility. PID is serious and requires immediate treatment.

Epididymitis is the inflammation of the small, coiled tube of the testicles where the sperm ducts are located. Untreated, the infection may lead to infertility.

Gonorrhoea can affect other parts of the body. Fever, rash, skin sores, joint pain, swelling and stiffness are symptoms common to other infections, but are also possible results of gonorrhoea.

It's important to note that any untreated STI increases the risk of contracting HIV/Aids.

Pregnancy complications include newborns acquiring gonorrhoea during vaginal birth, which could lead to blindness and skin infection.

Use a condom properly every time to reduce the transmission of STIs. Get tested and complete your antibiotic treatment.

• Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng (MBChB), sexual and reproductive health practice, Disa Clinic, safersex.co.za. 

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