Is it ever good to be a prude? Sure, maybe. Is it good to enter into the world with as much information as possible? Yes. Is it better to be safe or sorry? Safe. Why did I ask about being a prude? Because often times you will find yourself in situations where someone might call you a prude or make fun of you or reject you for being safe.

Later, we break 'em like wild horses

So, today I am going to outline my Smitten Kitten Syndrome (SKS) buddy's favorite topic, Gonorrhea.

Gono-what?
Gonorrhea is a common Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) cause by a bacteria known as Neisseria gonorrhea. It is considered one of the most commonly spread STDs in the world.

It is transmitted through contact with the penis, vagina, mouth or anus. Unlike other infections such as HIV, ejaculation does not have to occur for you to get infected - simple contact is good enough for gonorrhea. Couple that with the fact that you don't actually have to have full blown symptoms to pass it along to someone else. In fact, most symptoms are fairly mild and can be mistaken for other issues.

Signs or symptoms in men of gonorrhea include:

• Burning sensation when urinating.
• A white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis.
• Painful or swollen testicles.

For you men, an infection can lead to epididymitis - a condition that clogs your man-junk glands and makes you sterile 

Signs and symptoms in women of gonorrhea include:

• Non-specific issues that mimic a bladder or vaginal infection.
• Painful or burning sensation when urinating.
• Increased vaginal discharge.
• Bleeding between periods. 

For us ladies, it is important to realize that gonorrhea can lead to serious complications even if there are non-specific symptoms. This can even end woman's chance at having children. In the event of pregnancy, gonorrhea can be spread to the baby during the birthing process.

Manda, This Is Disgusting
Yes, no one wants to hear about weird discharge or think about getting a nasty infection and the stigma that comes with it. However, actually being sick is also disgusting and passing it on when you could have prevented it or been treated is also disgusting and dishonorable.

Things happen, being infected is not the end of the world. However, you need to arm yourself with knowledge if you are going to be sharing body parts with someone. If you cannot talk about it, you need to visit the doctor often to make sure you aren't part of the problem.

Because, now, I'm going to write about some problems. ..

Super-Bug
As a bacterial infection, gonorrhea is treatable with antibiotics. However, because it is so easy to transmit and has been treated for such a long time, it has become what is known as a "super-bug." Strains of gonorrhea have become resistant to drugs commonly used to cure it.

Studies have been ongoing by the Gonococcal Isolate Surveillance Project (GISP) which have identified strains of this super-bug in Japan, Canada and the US.

Maybe you decide not to have sex to avoid this STD situation, but, it's not enough to avoid penis-in-vagina sex. The super-bug doesn't just affect your personal areas - super-bug gonorrhea also infecting people through oral sex. The infection can live happily in your throat.

H041, first found in a the pharynx of a Japanese sex worker, is 4-8 fold more resistant to the only drug used to treat that type of gonorrhea. Giving it a couple more years to spread, it will probably become untreatable.

Solutions
It is so important to be kind to yourself and to others. It is each of our responsibilities to look out for each other. This includes getting a standard workup for any STDs or even Sexual Transmitted Infections (STIs). This means being able to ask your partner about his/her sexual history and even requesting for him/her to get tested.

In dating, in relationships and as adults, we all need to be able to be focus on our health and safety when dating. This includes not walking down dark alleys or inviting creepy people into our homes. It also includes keeping track of our inners.

If you suspect you have an infection, don't wait. Get yourself to the doctor and get yourself healed up and back in the game faster than if you waited for your system to start breaking down.

If it makes anyone feel better, even I have been tested for a ton of STDs and STIs. Nothing like sitting in the doctor's office with your Mom waiting to hear about a specific blood test for your thyroid and having the doctor rattle off negatives for icky pants-touching infections.

Facts Provided By:
Bad bug: Gonorrhea Strain Resists All Antibiotics 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Image Credit
Ladies commentary from chzhistoriclols.files.wordpress.com.