b. Signs and Symptoms. Males frequently complain of a burning sensation
during urination and a purulent discharge from the urethra during onset. Females are
frequently symptomless carriers of the disease for weeks or months.
(1)
Male--acute gonorrhea. Included are the following:
(a) After a two to eight day incubation period (rarely 1 to 31 days), a
male may develop dysuria and purulent discharge. Initially with dysuria, there will be
tingling or burning on urination. Hours to three days later, there will be more pain on
urination.
(b) The purulent discharge will be serous or milky. This discharge
progresses to yellow creamy heavy discharge, sometimes blood tinged. Other signs
and symptoms include frequent urination (sometimes incontinence), discomfort and
sometimes discharge with defecation, sore throat, and red and swollen lips of the
meatus.
NOTE:
Dysuria and urethral discharge are seen in urethritis in general.
(2) Female--acute gonorrhea. Signs and symptoms usually occur from 7 to
21 days after contact. Included are the following:
(a) Dysuria.
(b) Increased vaginal discharge.
(c) Mucopurulent discharge from the urethra (expressed by pressure
on the symphysis pubis), Skene's ducts, Bartholin's glands, and from the cervix which
may be reddened.
NOTE:
The organism Trichomonas vaginitis commonly causes copious vaginal
discharge and may be confused with gonorrhea. This organism DOES NOT
cause gonorrhea.
(d) Frequent urination.
(e) Low back pain.
(f)
Low abdominal pain.
(g)
Discomfort and possible discharge with defecation.
(h)
Sore throat.
MD0580
2-4