Pharyngitis, gonococcal

Alternative names:

gonococcal pharyngitis

Definition:

An inflammation of the part of the throat between the tonsils and the larynx (pharynx) caused by gonorrhea infection; producing a sore throat.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Gonococcal pharyngitis is a sexually-transmitted disease. It is acquired through oral sex with an infected partner. The majority of throat infections caused by gonococci are without symptoms (asymptomatic). When discomfort is present it is generally mild. Generalized symptoms normally are not present unless the person develops disseminated gonococcemia (wide-spread infection).

Untreated gonorrhea may spread to other parts of the body, causing inflammation of the testes or prostate in men, or pelvic inflammatory disease in women.

Gonococci in the throat are present in 10 to 20% of women who have gonorrhea. In homosexual men pharyngeal infection is present in 10 to 25%. However, less than 5% of tested individuals have gonococci only in the throat.

Risk factors include recent exposure to gonorrhea, sexual activity with multiple partners, male homosexuality, and the practice of oral sex. The incidence is 3 out of 1000 people.