Definition

1. Noun:
   • A sexually transmitted infection (STI): Gonorrhea is a common bacterial infection spread primarily through sexual contact.
   • A specific bacterial disease: It is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which infects the mucous membranes of the reproductive tract, but can also infect the mouth, throat, eyes, and rectum.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Gonorrhea is one of the most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted infections.
  • The doctor prescribed antibiotics to treat the patient's gonorrhea.
  • Public health campaigns aim to increase awareness about the prevention of gonorrhea.

Advanced Usage

• "Asymptomatic gonorrhea": An infection that does not show any noticeable symptoms, which is common, especially in women.
  • Screening is important because asymptomatic gonorrhea can still cause serious complications.
• "Drug-resistant gonorrhea": Strains of the bacteria that are not killed by standard antibiotic treatments.
  • The emergence of drug-resistant gonorrhea is a major public health concern.

Variants and Related Words

• Gonococcal (adj): Pertaining to or caused by the gonococcus bacterium ().
  • The patient was diagnosed with gonococcal arthritis.
• Gonococcus (n): The bacterium itself.
  • The test identified the presence of gonococcus.

Synonyms

• The clap (n, informal/slang): A common colloquial term for gonorrhea.
• GC (n, abbreviation): A medical abbreviation for gonococcus or gonorrhea.

Related Phrases

• "To contract gonorrhea": To become infected with the disease.
  • He contracted gonorrhea from an untreated partner.
• "To screen for gonorrhea": To test for the infection, often when no symptoms are present.
  • Sexually active individuals are advised to get screened for gonorrhea regularly.

Notes on Meaning

• While gonorrhea is primarily a venereal disease (a disease contracted through sexual intercourse), modern medical terminology prefers the terms sexually transmitted infection (STI) or sexually transmitted disease (STD).
• The core meaning refers specifically to the infection caused by the bacterium. It is distinct from other STIs like chlamydia or syphilis, though co-infections can occur.

Noun

1. a common venereal disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae; symptoms are painful urination and pain around the urethra