Term: Gonorrhea

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Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2020-05-25

Definition:

A sexually transmitted infection (STI) that, if left untreated, may increase the risk of contracting Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (Chin, 2000; Dickerson et al., 1996), pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility in females or urethritis, epididymitis, and gonococcal arthritis in males (Merck Research Laboratories, 1992). Gonorrhea may also cause pharyngeal and anorectal infections in females and homosexual males (Chin, 2000). Symptoms may be absent, or may appear within 1-4 weeks after infection. Symptoms include (but are not limited to) a feeling of burning or pain while urinating, increased urination, penile or vaginal discharge, or tender or swollen genitals (PubMed Health. "Gonorrhea". 2011.)

NOTE: The URL for this reference was: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004526/ - accessed October 15, 2012. On October 31, 2018, the resource PubMed Health was discontinued and is no longer available. For more information about gonorrhea, see: MedlinePlus® - Health Topics - Gonorrhea

In Brownell et al. (2012), gonorrhea in youths aged 13 to 19 years was defined as having at least one positive detection for gonorrhea in the Cadham Provincial Laboratory database, either by:

• microbiology organism: Neisseria Gonorrhoeae. or
  
• microbiology results: N. Gonorrhoeae isolated, beta lactamase negative; N. Gonorrhoeae isolated, beta lactamase positive; Neisseria Gonorrhoeae detected; presumptive Neisseria Gonorrhoeae detected

Related concepts 

• Gonorrhea - Method of Identification

Related terms 

• Cadham Provincial Laboratory (CPL) Data
• Ectopic Pregnancy
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
• Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections (STBBIs)
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

References 

• Chin J. Control of communicable diseases manual. 17th Edition. Washington, D.C: American Public Health Association; 2000.(View)
• Dickerson MB, Johnston J, Delea TE, White A, Andrews E. The casual role for genital ulcer disease as a risk factor for transmission of human-immunodeficiency virus: An application of the Bradford Hill Criteria. Sexually Transmitted Diseases 1996;23(5):429-440.(View)
• Merck Research Laboratories. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. 16th ed. In: Berkow R, Fletcher AJ (ed). Rahway, NJ: Merck Research Laboratories; 1992.(View)
• PubMed Health. Gonorrhea. Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004526/. Accessed October 15, 2012.(View)

Term used in 

• Brownell M, Chartier M, Santos R, Ekuma O, Au W, Sarkar J, MacWilliam L, Burland E, Koseva I, Guenette W. How are Manitoba's Children Doing? Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2012. [Report] [Summary] [Updates and Errata] [Additional Materials] (View)
• Lix L, Smith M, Azimaee M, Dahl M, Nicol P, Burchill C, Burland E, Goh C, Schultz J, Bailly A. A Systematic Investigation of Manitoba's Provincial Laboratory Data. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2012. [Report] [Summary] (View)