Gonorrhoea (say Gon-or-ee-a)
Gonorrhoea (also called Gono, the clap, the drip) is an STI that can make you sick.
Men might get: a yellow discharge from the penis, swollen/sore testicles and burning pain when passing urine (pee). Sometimes, symtoms can go away by themselves after a week or so but the infection is still there and can be passed on. Sometimes men have no signs of sickness at all.
What is it?
An infection of the private parts is called a sexually transmissible infection (STI).
STIs are caused by germs getting inside when you have sex with someone with an STI.
You can get private help and treatment if you have an STI.
How do you get it?
Sexual contact - oral, viginal or anal (bum) sex.
Condoms protect you from catching gonorrhoea.
What if I have it?
Gono can be tested by urine (pee). The clinic will give you a jar to fill your urine with, and will test it for gono germs. Sometimes if there is a discharge, the doctor or nurse may need to take a swab.
If you have gono, you will be given some pills (antibiotics) or you may need an injection, to treat it.
People you have sex with
It is best to let people you have had sex with know you have been treated for an STI. If you are too shame, the clinic can do it for you without telling anyone your name.
If your sex partners are not treated, you may get that STI back and have to get treated again.
What if I don't get treated or don't know I've got it?
The gono germs can stay in your body for a long time. So even if you have no pain or other signs of gono, it can still be damaging your insides. If you don't get treated, you can pass gono onto anyone you have sex with.
The future
Gono can damage men, so they might have trouble making children in the future. Go to the clinic for a check up.