Final answer:
Gonorrhea can be asymptomatic or present with symptoms like painful urination and abnormal discharge. It is treated with antibiotics, and annual screening is crucial for sexually active individuals, especially young women.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. While gonorrhea can have severe and unusual signs, many individuals are asymptomatic carriers, particularly women. When symptoms do occur, they can include painful urination and abnormal discharge from the genitals. Men may experience a yellow, green, or white discharge from might have tender or swollen testicles. In women, untreated gonorrhea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility.
The infection can also affect other parts of the body, such as the rectum and conjunctiva of the eyes. Newborns can contract gonorrhea during childbirth, leading to eye infections or more severe complications. Due to the possibility of asymptomatic cases and antibiotic resistance, the CDC recommends annual screening for sexually active individuals, particularly women under 25 and those with risk factors. Gonorrhea is typically treated with a dual antibiotic therapy, although resistance to these treatments is increasing.