Gonorrhea can lead to severe complications without proper treatment. Often, gonorrhea causes some clear symptoms in men and women; a large percentage of them do not experience any symptoms at all. This is why regular testing is important if you think you are at risk of getting gonorrhea or if you think you have been infected. The recommended time to get tested for gonorrhea is one week after having unprotected sex, and the incubation period is usually between two and seven days. You can either get tested by a medical doctor or using a gonorrhea test at home.
Diagnosing a Gonorrhea Infection Late
If a gonococcal infection is not diagnosed and treated on time, it may cause more severe problems by spreading to other parts of the body. It can cause epididymis in men or cause problems in the uterus and fallopian tube in women leading to pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy or even worse, infertility.
Who Should Get Tested for Gonorrhea?
If you belong to any of the groups highlighted below, you should take a gonorrhea test;
- You or your partner suspect symptoms of gonorrhea. You have had unprotected sex recently with someone you do not know their history.
- You or your partner have had unprotected sex with strangers recently.
- Men who have sex with men or sex workers.
- Men who have unprotected sex with people outside Europe.
- You or your partner are infected with another sexually transmitted disease.
Testing for Gonorrhea
There are different ways to test for gonorrhea;
- Visit a general practitioner
- Visit a hospital
- Go to a specialist
- Use a gonorrhea test at home.