Adult Guidance
Gonococcal Infection

Gonococcal Infection

Note

In general this guidance applies to adults and young people aged over 12 years. In children, specialist advice should be sought where possible. Consideration should be given that an STI in a child may be due to child sexual abuse

Definition

A sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Diagnosis

Pathogen

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Prevention

Important elements of prevention include:

  • Sexuality education
  • Promoting consistent use of condoms
  • Pre- and post-test counselling
  • Safe sex and risk reduction counselling
  • Interventions targeting high-risk groups

Important:

  • Sexual partners should be informed of the disease and treated
  • Reporting of this infection to health authorities is encouraged according to local regulations

Treatment

  • Treatment is aligned with the WHO 2016 guidelines for the treatment of gonococcal infection (https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/246114) and the WHO 2021 guidelines for the management of symptomatic sexually transmitted infections (https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/342523) but only options listed in the 2021 EML are reported below
  • WHO is in the process of revising current treatment recommendations and dosages, please check the WHO website regularly for possible updates
  • Treatment is always indicated when infection is diagnosed, including in asymptomatic patients because they can transmit the infection to others
  • Local resistance data should determine the most appropriate therapy and if data not available, dual therapy is preferred
  • If symptoms do not resolve in approximately 5 days, resistant infection or alternative diagnosis should be suspected

Additional Information

Please check regularly for updates