What is it?

Gonorrhoea is highly contagious infection, it can be spread by vaginal, oral, or anal contact. If you get the disease, there is an increased risk of getting other STDs, including HIV. It is one of the fastest growing STIs in the world and usually causes no symptoms at first. It can be a major cause of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and infertility in women. In men, it can cause inflammation of the testicles and prostate.

How can I get it?

Any sexual activity with an infected person means that you are at risk of contracting this STI. It can live in the genital tract, throat and rectum of both men and women as well as the testes, penis and semen of males and the vagina of females.

How do I know if I have it?

Although symptoms are typically mild or non-existent, when there are symptom, they will usually start between 5 and 30 days after contact and differ slightly between men and women. Symptoms may include:

  • Burning sensation when urinating for both men and women
  • For women, yellowish discharge from the vagina, vaginal bleeding
  • Painful bowel movements
  • For men, painful or swollen testicles
  • Sore throat.
Did you know…

Gonorrhoea rates in South Africa are amongst the highest in the world, with many people having no symptoms.

Gonorrhoea testing

Testing at Better2Know is fast, easy and painless. Our clinics will usually ask you to provide a urine sample.  If you require a swab of the throat or rectum we can arrange this for you too, please let our booking team know. Results are available from two days from when the sample is received in the laboratory. You can be tested  at any Better2Know clinic in South Africa. Please do not urinate for three hours prior to getting tested.


The infection is curable and can be treated with a course of antibiotics if detected. If you test positive, we will make you a doctors consultation at no further cost. You can take your results to your own doctor, if you prefer.

Other Consequences


