Symptoms of gonococcal urethritis

Gonococcal urethritis has an incubation period and mainly manifests itself as acute urethritis or chronic infection. A small number of patients also have adverse symptoms such as cystitis, arthritis and Bartholin's glands.

(1) Gonorrhea usually remains dormant in the body for 2-7 days.

(2) Acute infection: The main manifestations are acute urethritis, with serous or purulent secretions, itching and burning sensation in the urethra, and pain during urination; but there is no urgency or frequency of urination. Most patients often invade the posterior urethra within 1-2 weeks, characterized by frequent urination, urethral distress and dysuria. In addition to urethritis, the paraurethral glands, cervix, and fallopian tubes of women may also be infected. The main symptoms are increased vaginal discharge with pus, lower abdominal pain, and frequent urination.

(3) Chronic infection: If the above symptoms persist for more than one month or acute symptoms recur, the symptoms are not as obvious as in the acute phase. A small number of patients have no symptoms at all, and urine striae may be the only symptom. Some manifestations are chronic prostatitis, seminal vesiculitis, epididymitis, etc. Women may have cervicitis, vestibular glanditis, endometritis, salpingitis, etc.

(4) A small number of patients may also suffer from conjunctivitis, cystitis, pyelonephritis, arthritis, and even endocarditis.

(5) Gram-negative gonococci may be detected in smears or cultures of urethral or vaginal secretions.