Gonorrhea, also known as “the clap,” is an extremely contagious sexually transmitted disease (STD). It is the second most reported infectious disease in the United States (after chlamydia), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The gonorrhea bacteria gains access to the body from the body fluids associated with sexual activity. Transmission can occur during any kind of sexual contact – vaginal, oral or anal. In women, the disease usually first infects the opening of the uterus (cervix) or the urethra, the tube just above the vagina that leads to the bladder. Symptoms may include some unusual vaginal discharge (possibly bloody) or pain while urinating. Most women experience no symptoms. Gonorrhea infection in the anal area may be caused by anal sex or contamination of the bacteria from the genitals. Oral sex may cause gonorrhea of the throat.

If gonorrhea is left untreated, it can spread to other organs. Most commonly in women, it spreads into the upper reproductive organs, such as the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. Inflammation in those sites can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). When PID is untreated, its inflammation can scar the tissue within the fallopian tubes and can cause infertility. In rare cases, untreated gonorrhea may spread to other systems in the body and infect the heart, brain or joints.

Some nonsexual transmission of gonorrhea can also occur. A pregnant woman with gonorrhea can transmit it to her baby during childbirth, frequently causing an eye infection. In addition, an infected person can transmit the bacteria from their original infection site by touching that area and then touching another susceptible body part, such as the eyes.

Sexually active young people are at greatest risk for gonorrhea. The majority of cases reported to the CDC occur in sexually active people under age 24. People who have unprotected sex, have multiple sexual partners or have sexual partners who have multiple sexual partners are most likely to contract gonorrhea.

Gonorrhea can be diagnosed with several tests, including a urine test that detects the bacteria’s genes and gram stains and cultures that use samples from the infected area. After diagnosis, a patient’s sexual partners should be notified so they may be tested and, if necessary, treated for gonorrhea.

Antibiotics are the standard treatment for gonorrhea. They are usually given orally or by injection. Antibiotic eye drops may be given to newborn babies of pregnant women with gonorrhea to prevent infection.

Gonorrhea can be prevented by practicing safe sex, which includes limiting sexual partners, knowing the sexual history of partners and using latex condoms and dental dams during sexual activity.