Gonorrhea during pregnancy, when not identified and treated correctly, can pose a risk to the baby at the time of birth, because the baby can acquire the bacteria when passing through the infected vaginal canal, potentially developing eye injuries, blindness, otitis media and generalized infection, for example.
Therefore, it is important that if a woman has signs and symptoms of gonorrhea during pregnancy, she goes to the obstetrician so that the diagnosis can be made and appropriate treatment can be started, which is normally done with antibiotics.
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which is transmitted through unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sexual intercourse and is most often asymptomatic, however it can also lead to the appearance of some signs and symptoms such as foul-smelling vaginal discharge and pain or burning sensation when urinating. Check out other STIs during pregnancy.
![Illustrative image number 1](https://storelatina.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Gonorrhea-during-pregnancy-risks-and-treatment.jpg)
Risks of gonorrhea during pregnancy
Gonorrhea during pregnancy is dangerous for the baby, especially if the birth is natural, as the child can be contaminated by bacteria present in the genital region of the infected mother, running the risk of causing neonatal conjunctivitis and, sometimes, blindness to the baby. and generalized infection, requiring intensive treatment.
During pregnancy, although the chance of the baby becoming infected is lower, gonorrhea is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, amniotic fluid infection, premature birth, premature rupture of membranes and fetal death.
Gonorrhea is also one of the biggest causes of pelvic inflammatory disease, which damages the fallopian tubes, leading to ectopic pregnancy and sterility.
Read too: 27 gonorrhea symptoms (female, male and baby) and online test
Postpartum there is an increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease and the spread of infection with joint pain and skin lesions. Therefore, it is important for women to be aware of the symptoms of gonorrhea so that treatment can be started quickly and the risk of transmitting it to the baby can be reduced. Learn more about gonorrhea.
Online symptom test
To find out if you have gonorrhea, please indicate your symptoms below:
This test is a tool that serves only as a means of guidance, and is not intended to provide a diagnosis or replace a consultation with an obstetrician or infectious disease specialist.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of gonorrhea during pregnancy is made by the obstetrician through prenatal examinations. See the main prenatal exams.
Make an appointment with the obstetrician in the region closest to you:
Taking care of your health has never been easier!
Furthermore, if the pregnant woman presents symptoms of gonorrhea, the obstetrician must perform a physical examination and take a sample of vaginal secretion to be analyzed in the laboratory and identify the presence of the bacteria. Neisseria gonorrhoeae,
How the treatment is carried out
Treatment for gonorrhea during pregnancy consists of the use of antibiotics as directed by the obstetrician for a period of time that varies according to the type and severity of the infection.
Normally, gonorrhea, if detected early, is limited to the genital region and the most effective treatment is through the use of a single dose of antibiotic. Some treatment options, which should be recommended by your doctor, for gonorrhea are the following antibiotics:
- Penicillin;
- Ofloxacina 400 mg;
- Thiamphenicol granulate 2.5 g;
- Ciprofloxacina 500 mg;
- Ceftriaxona 250 mg intramuscular;
- Cefotaxime 1 g;
- Espectinomicina 2 mg.
Given the complications that gonorrhea can cause to women and their babies, it is important that the partner is also treated. You should avoid sexual relations until the disease is resolved, maintain a single sexual partner, use condoms and always follow all instructions. doctors throughout the pregnancy.
Bibliography
- MAHON, Connie R.; LEHMAN, Donald C. Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology. 6 ed. St- Louis, Missouri: Elsevier, 2019. 369-376.
- Mariana Carvalho Costa. Sexually transmitted diseases during pregnancy: a summary of particularities. An Bras Dermato. Vol 85. 6 ed; 767-785, 2010