The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
All other sections in this Literature Study Guide are owned and copyrighted by BookRags, Inc.
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Gonorrhea is most common among females ages 15-19 and males ages 20-24. Although most males experience symptoms, 50% of females have no symptoms. For this reason, gonorrhea in adolescent girls often goes untreated. Therefore, screening cultures for gonorrhea should be routine for all sexually active adolescents.
Most males (95%) with gonorrhea will experience a yellow discharge from the urethra. In females, gonorrhea can affect the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes. In addition to symptoms affecting the genital and anal area, gonorrhea can affect the liver, throat, skin, joints, blood, and brain. In addition, gonorrhea can cause a severe form of conjunctivitis in infants born to infected mothers. The most common complication of untreated gonorrhea is pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Less common is a complication called disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI), where the bacteria travels through the blood to distant sites such as skin or joints.
Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics, either injected or taken orally. After treatment, repeat cultures should always be performed to be certain the infection has been cured.
Daugirdas, John T., M.D. STD, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Including HIV/AIDS. Hinsdale, IL: Medtext, 1992.
National Sexually Transmitted Disease Hotline Telephone: (800) 227-8922
(Free information and clinic referrals)