Gonorrhea (also called clap, drip, or GC) is a sexually
transmitted infection. Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection of the
urethra in men and of the urethra, the cervix, or both in women;
and it may infect the rectum, throat, and pelvic organs also.
Many people who are infected with gonorrhea don't have symptoms.
If symptoms are present, they may include painful urination,
anal itching or bleeding, or abnormal discharge from the urethra
in men or from the urethra, the cervix, or both in women. In
men, symptoms are usually obvious enough that they will cause a
man to seek medical attention before complications occur. In
women, the early symptoms are sometimes so mild that they are
mistaken for a bladder infection or vaginal infection. Gonorrhea
can be spread during vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected
partner. A pregnant woman may pass the infection to her newborn
during delivery. Gonorrhea can be transmitted at any time by an
infected person, whether or not symptoms are present. An
infected person is con