As a medical professional with expertise in infectious diseases, I can provide you with information on the potential consequences of untreated gonorrhea.
If you have gonorrhea for a year without treatment, several serious health complications can arise. Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium *Neisseria gonorrhoeae*, and when left untreated, it can spread and cause more severe problems.
In
women, untreated gonorrhea can spread into the uterus or fallopian tubes, leading to
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can cause chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. Additionally, if gonorrhea is not treated, it can also spread to the blood, resulting in
disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI). DGI can cause a range of symptoms, including skin rashes, joint pain, and swelling.
In
men, untreated gonorrhea can lead to epididymitis, which is inflammation of the epididymis, the tube that carries sperm from the testicles. This can result in pain, swelling, and potentially infertility. Like in women, gonorrhea can also spread to the blood and cause DGI in men.
Both in men and women, untreated gonorrhea increases the risk of acquiring and transmitting other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.
It is crucial to seek medical attention if you suspect you have gonorrhea. With appropriate antibiotic treatment, gonorrhea can be cured, and the risk of these complications can be significantly reduced.
read more >>