By Precious Okure-Asamoah
A Family Physician Specialist at Madina Polyclinic, Dr. Emmanuel Asante, has explained that Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease that is commonly reported in health facilities globally and not in Ghana alone.
Speaking with Kafui Dey on the GTV’s Breakfast Show, Dr. Asante mentioned that in 2018, the CDC recorded 1.6million cases of gonorrhea and out of that, they had ages ranging between 18-24 years old.
He mentioned that teenagers are contracting the disease more because they are the age group that is sexually active.
The Family Physician Specialist also mentioned that the disease is spread by sexual contact.
The contact can be through oral sex, vagina sex, and anal sex.
He said that most people may not show symptoms of the disease but may have it.
Dr. Asante also mentioned that a discharge of the disease can be in the colour of white, yellow and green.
He also indicated that people who have contracted the disease normally complain when urinating and it can only be contracted through sex.
The Family Physician also indicated that if you engage with lots of people, both partners and anonymous people, you can get infected.
He said studies have shown that both genders are at risk but women are mostly at risk because of how easily they are found to be around sex.
Dr. Emmanuel Asante also pointed out that, Gonorrhea and Syphilis are not the same.
Gonorrhea is caused by a non-serial gonorrhea and Syphilis is caused by a bacteria called Palodom but both are transmitted through sex.
Dr. Asante advised the use of condoms only reduces the risk of contracting Gonorrhea but added that , ‘ it is not completely safe’.
It only serves as a safe guard, he said.
Dr Asante educated that anyone who gets infected, is often counseled and then advised to bring their partners or the person they had intercourse with.
Then, they prescribe medication for the partner as well.
He advised that, when one gets infected, he or she should avoid self-treatment and visit the hospital to get treated.
Dr. Emmanuel Asante also a baby can also be infected with gonorrhea from the mother through child birth and that is called, Utica mother child transmission.
He mentioned that one will see the child’s eyes swollen and a discharge coming out, so mothers should make sure to treat gonorrhea before becoming pregnant.
The Family Physician Specialist also mentioned that, infertility could be the result of not properly or treating Gonorrhea.
In women, it could result in ectopic pregnancy or infertility complications.
