Gonorrhea - female

Alternative names:

clap disease

Symptoms:

• vaginal discharge
• pain or burning on urination
• urinary hesitancy
• throat, sore
• sexual intercourse, painful
• mouth sores

Signs and tests:

• cervical gram stain
• endocervical culture for gonorrhea

This disease may also alter the following test results:

• throat swab culture
• skin lesion aspiration
• rectal culture

An immediate preliminary diagnosis of gonorrhea can be made at the time of examination. A cervical smear is taken, stained, and examined under the microscope. Neisseria gonorrhea organisms appear as two-at-a-time side by side (diplococci) red (Gram negative) spheres within the cells scraped from the cervix. The appearance of these Gram negative diplococci is sufficient for a presumptive diagnosis of gonorrhea.

Cultures provide absolute proof of infection. Neisseria gonorrhea organisms may grow in any tissue of the body. They can be easily cultured from most areas using standard culture techniques. In suspected cases of gonorrhea, cultures should be taken from the cervix, vagina, anus, urethra, or the throat (pharynx). Laboratories can give a preliminary diagnosis often within 24 hours and a confirmed diagnosis within 72 hours.