d. MYTH:
Having a sexually transmitted disease once makes a person
immune to the disease; that is, he can never get that disease again.
FACT:
Wrong. There is no immunity to sexually transmitted diseases. An
STD can infect the same person again and again.
e. MYTH:
An individual cannot get a sexually transmitted disease unless he
has intercourse with an infected person.
FACT:
Wrong. If you have intimate contact (not necessarily sexual
intercourse) with a person infected with an STD, you may become
infected.
f. MYTH:
Gonorrhea is caused by strain; for example, lifting a heavy object.
FACT:
No. A person does NOT get gonorrhea by lifting a heavy object or
straining.
g. MYTH:
You can look at a person and tell whether or not he has a sexually
transmitted disease.
FACT:
Wrong. A medical examination and laboratory tests are required to
confirm the presence or absence of venereal disease.
h. MYTH:
Syphilis is hereditary.
FACT:
Syphilis CANNOT be inherited. A pregnant woman can, however,
transmit the disease to her unborn child as the child is developing.
Section III. LABORATORY TESTS AND PROCEDURES
2-13. TEST/PROCEDURES FOR GONORRHEA
a. Obtain a Gram's stain smear and culture. In males, a thin cotton-tipped swab
is inserted into the urethra to get a discharge smear. In females, an endocervical smear
is taken and examined. A part of the specimen is smeared on a microscopic slide and
stained with Gram's stain. If the organisms stain purple, the result is gram-positive. An
infection exists, in this case gonorrhea. If the organisms stain pink, the result is gram-
negative, and there is no infection. It usually takes about an hour to obtain the results of
a Gram's stain smear. Since the result of a culture takes from two to five days, a
Gram's stain is often performed so that treatment can be started sooner.
b. Request a blood test to rule out syphilis. Do this before treatment and after
treatment.
MD0580
2-21