What if you have discharge after gonorrhea treatment?

If you have discharge after gonorrhea treatment, it's important to see your doctor to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment. While it's possible that the discharge is a sign of a new infection, it could also be a normal part of the healing process after treatment. Here's what to keep in mind:

1. Possible Causes of Discharge:

- Reinfection: There's a chance you could have been reinfected with gonorrhea or another sexually transmitted infection (STI) after your initial treatment.

- Incomplete Treatment: If the gonorrhea treatment wasn't completed properly or if you didn't take the medication as directed, the infection may not have been fully treated.

- Post-Treatment Reaction: Some people may experience a post-treatment reaction after gonorrhea treatment, which can cause symptoms such as discharge.

- Other Infections: The discharge could be due to a different infection, such as a yeast infection or urinary tract infection.

2. When to See a Doctor:

- If you have discharge that is:

- Persistent or doesn't go away within a few days

- Accompanied by other symptoms such as pain, itching, or burning

- Has changed in color, consistency, or odor

3. Diagnosis:

- To determine the cause of the discharge, your doctor may perform tests such as:

- Examining the discharge under a microscope

- Culturing the discharge to identify any bacteria or yeast present

- Testing for other STIs

4. Treatment:

- The treatment will depend on the underlying cause of the discharge:

- If it's a new infection, you may need additional antibiotics or other medications.

- If it's a post-treatment reaction, supportive measures may be enough to manage the symptoms.

- If it's due to another infection, specific treatment for that infection will be provided.

Remember that it's essential to follow up with your doctor after gonorrhea treatment to ensure that the infection has been fully cleared and to address any ongoing symptoms.