Gonorrhea - male

Untreated gonorrhea may lead to urethral stricture (narrowing of the urethra caused by scarring), which can result in decreased urine flow, incomplete emptying of the bladder, urinary tract infection and ultimately kidney failure.

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The average incubation for gonorrhea is approximately 2 to 5 days following sexual contact with an infected partner. However, symptoms may appear as late as 2 weeks. The most common initial symptom is a discharge from the urethra that is either mucus-like (clear or whitish discharge) or purulent (thick, yellowish, pus-like discharge). It appears at the opening of the penis and may stain the underwear. Other initial symptoms include painful urination and urethral burning. A small number of men will be without symptoms (asymptomatic).

Other sites of infection are relatively common. Gonorrhea infection of the rectal area (anorectal gonorrhea) may occur in men who have anal intercourse (it is also found in approximately 50% of women with gonorrhea). A majority of people with anorectal gonorrhea are symptom-free, but when symptoms are present they are typical of proctitis. A small percentage of people with gonorrhea have only a throat infection (gonococcal pharyngitis). Ten to 25% of homosexual men with gonorrhea also have pharyngeal infection, while 10 to 20% of women with gonorrhea have pharyngeal gonorrhea.

Gonococcal conjunctivitis (eye infection) is very rare in adults. It is normally seen only in infants delivered to mothers with gonorrhea, and is called ophthalmia neonatorum.

Gonorrhea can be transmitted simultaneously with other sexually transmitted diseases.