Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) It is transmitted through oral, anal and vaginal sex.

Symptoms

Many people with gonorrhoea won’t have any symptoms.

If you have a penis you are more likely to experience symptoms. You may have burning when you pass urine, a yellow discharge or pain and inflammation in the testicles.

If you have a vagina you might notice a change in discharge, bleeding between periods or after sex or pelvic pain.

Testing

You can order an online test kit SH:UK for free to check for gonorrhoea infection.

Gonorrhoea may take 2 weeks from the time of infection to show up on a test.

If you have symptoms or are worried, you can:

contact us via phone 0300 123 5474
come along to one of our walk-in and wait clinics:

Treatment

Gonorrhoea is usually treated with an antibiotic injection that we provide for free.

If you are treated for gonorrhoea we will provide you with a personal health checklist personal health checklist

Prevention

The Bexsero (gonorrhoea) vaccine is now available at Sexual Health Wirral

The vaccine was previously developed to protect against meningococcal group B (Men B) disease. The bacteria that cause Men B and gonorrhoea are highly similar, because of this the Bexsero vaccine provides 30-40% protection against gonorrhoea.

The vaccine is initially being offered to gay and bisexual men who have sex with men (GBMSM) due to their higher risk of acquiring gonorrhoea.

Please contact Sexual Health Wirral on 0300 123 5474 to book an appointment for a vaccine or discuss with your health care professional at your next clinic appointment.

You can read more about the Bexsero vaccine here: A guide to the Meningococcal B vaccine for protection against Gonorrhoea - GOV.UK

You can also prevent gonorrhoea and other STIs by:

using condoms. You can request free condoms at our clinics.
Testing each time you change your sexual partner can help reduce the transmission of STIs.

More information