How common is gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea is one of the most common infections. Around 4,500 UK gay and bisexual men were treated in clinics for it in 2005. Gonorrhoea is also known as 'the clap'.

What causes gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea is caused by bacteria that live on moist, warm parts of the body such as the inside of the arse, mouth, throat and urethra (the pipe in your cock that you piss down). It's easy to pick up or pass on.

What are the symptoms of gonorrhoea?

Symptoms can start around two to seven days after being infected. But there may be no symptoms, especially with gonorrhoea of the arse or throat.

Gonorrhoea in the cock can cause a white/yellow discharge and pain when pissing, and it might make you want to piss but you'll find that you can't, or only a little.

Gonorrhoea in the arse may cause discharge on your shit or pain when shitting, but usually you won't notice symptoms.

If you get it in your throat it can sometimes cause a sore throat, but it is usually symptom-free.

How is gonorrhoea passed on?

Gonorrhoea is passed on through unprotected:

• fucking or being fucked
• sucking or being sucked
• rimming
• fisting.

Gonorrhoea can be spread by getting the bacteria on your fingers, then touching other parts of your own body.

How is gonorrhoea prevented?

Using a condom greatly reduces the risk of gonorrhoea being picked up or passed on.

No-one's immune to gonorrhoea. If you've had it before, you can get it again.

How is gonorrhoea treated?

Gonorrhoea is diagnosed by testing a sample of your piss or taking a swab from the infected area.

You'll be given antibiotics in tablet form; often just one pill. Or you might be given a liquid or injection.

What happens if gonorrhoea isn't treated?

Untreated gonorrhoea can cause serious damage to your balls (known as epididymitis), arthritis and prostatitis (long-term inflammation inside the arse).