Gonococcal infection

Generalities
Agent	Bacteria: Neisseria gonorrheae (gonococcus)
Incubation period	- 1-14 days - For gonococcal neonatorum: 1-5 days
Period of transmissibility	- For months if untreated - Effective treatment ends communicability within hours. - For gonococcal neonatorum: as long as discharge persists, if untreated. Transmissibility stops 24 hours after antibiotic treatment.
Reservoir	- Humans - For gonococcal neonatorum: infection of maternal cervix
Modes of transmission	- Contact with exudates from mucus membranes of infected people, secondary of sexual intercourse - For gonococcal neonatorum: contact with infected birth canal during childbirth
Clinical presentation	- For males: acute purulent urethritis - For females: cervicitis, that may be asymptomatic. Complications: endometritis, salpingitis, peritonitis, infertility, ectopic pregnancy, congenital conjunctivitis - Other form: pharyngeal, anorectal infection - General complications: septicemia, arthritis, skin lesions, endocarditis, meningitis, death - For gonococcal neonatorum: acute conjunctivitis with pus. Complications: corneal ulcer, blindness
Resources
Case definition	- MOPH circular no. 61 (2007) - MOPH circular no. 60 (2007): Gonococcal conjunctivitis neonatorum
Forms	- General reporting form - Gonococcal infection investigation form
Data	Refer to "Surveillance Data" section