Gonorrhea is a highly contagious sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. While it can cause uncomfortable symptoms, it's often asymptomatic, especially in women, making regular testing essential for prevention and control. If you're in Seoul and suspect you might have gonorrhea, Gangnam J Andrology Clinic is a reliable option for diagnosis and treatment.
Testing for Gonorrhea at Gangnam J Andrology Clinic
Gangnam J Andrology Clinic, located at 4F, 203 Hakdong-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, is a well-known clinic for comprehensive STD testing and men's sexual health. They are fully equipped to test for gonorrhea.
- Accurate Detection: Gonorrhea is typically diagnosed using NAATs (Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests), such as PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests. These tests are highly sensitive and can detect the genetic material of the bacteria from various sample types.
- For Men: A urine sample (first-voided urine) is commonly used. A urethral swab may also be taken.
- For Women: A vaginal swab (which can sometimes be self-collected) or a cervical swab collected by a healthcare professional is used.
- Other Sites: If oral or anal sex has occurred, samples from the throat (pharynx) or rectum may also be collected, as gonorrhea can infect these sites asymptomatically. Studies in Korea show a high prevalence of pharyngeal gonorrhea, particularly in men with urethritis.
- Results Turnaround: While some clinics offer rapid tests for certain STIs, PCR results for gonorrhea generally take a few business days (e.g., 3-5 days) to be processed. It's always best to ask the clinic about their specific turnaround time.
- Convenience and Accessibility: The clinic's location in the vibrant Gangnam district, near the Gangnam and Apgujeong areas, makes it easy to access.
- Clinic Hours:
- Mon–Fri: 10 AM – 7 PM
- Sat: 10 AM – 3 PM
- Closed on Sundays and public holidays
- Confidentiality and English Services: Patient confidentiality is highly regarded in Korean medical settings. Many clinics in Gangnam, catering to an international clientele, have English-speaking staff or access to interpretation services to ensure clear communication.
Understanding Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is spread through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Many infected individuals may not show symptoms, which contributes to its spread.
Common Symptoms (if present):
- In Men:
- Green, yellow, or white discharge from the penis
- Painful urination (dysuria)
- Testicular pain or swelling (less common)
- In Women:
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Painful urination
- Vaginal bleeding between periods
- Abdominal pain or pelvic pain (if the infection spreads)
- Rectal Infection: Can cause discharge, anal itching, soreness, bleeding, or painful bowel movements.
- Pharyngeal (Throat) Infection: Often asymptomatic, but can cause a sore throat.
Untreated Gonorrhea can lead to serious complications:
- In Women: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which can result in chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and potentially life-threatening ectopic pregnancy.
- In Men: Epididymitis (inflammation of the tubes near the testicles), potentially leading to infertility.
- Disseminated Gonococcal Infection (DGI): In rare cases, the infection can spread to the bloodstream and other parts of the body, causing fever, skin rashes, joint pain, and even more severe conditions affecting the heart or brain.
- Increased HIV Risk: Having gonorrhea can increase your risk of contracting or transmitting HIV.
Gonorrhea Treatment in Korea
The good news is that gonorrhea is curable with antibiotics. However, due to increasing antibiotic resistance globally, including in Korea, the treatment guidelines are precise.
According to the 2023 Korean Association of Urogenital Tract Infection and Inflammation guidelines:
- Recommended Treatment for Uncomplicated Gonorrhea: A single intramuscular (IM) injection of Ceftriaxone 500 mg (for individuals under 100 kg) or 1g (for individuals 100 kg or more).
- Co-infection with Chlamydia: Since co-infection with Chlamydia is common, Doxycycline (100 mg twice daily for 7 days) is often added to the Ceftriaxone treatment.
- Alternative Treatments: If Ceftriaxone cannot be used (e.g., due to allergy), Spectinomycin 2g IM in a single dose is an alternative in Korea. Other alternatives like Gentamicin plus Azithromycin exist, but Azithromycin is generally discouraged for routine gonorrhea treatment due to increasing resistance.
- Treatment for Specific Sites: While the primary treatment is similar, guidelines specify for pharyngeal and disseminated infections.
Crucial Treatment Considerations:
- Complete Treatment: It is absolutely essential to receive the full, correct treatment from a healthcare provider. Self-treating or not completing the full course can lead to treatment failure and contribute to antibiotic resistance.
- Treat All Partners: All sexual partners from the last 60 days (or longer if contact was more remote but possibly involved) must be tested and treated simultaneously to prevent reinfection and further spread. This is critical to breaking the chain of transmission.
- Abstinence: Abstain from all sexual activity for at least 7 days after completing treatment and until all partners have also been treated and their symptoms (if any) have resolved.
- Test-of-Cure (TOC): For pharyngeal and rectal infections, and in cases of treatment failure or if a resistant strain is suspected, a test-of-cure may be recommended to ensure the infection has cleared. Patients should also be re-examined within three months at the exposure site due to high risk of re-infection.
Cost of Testing and Treatment
- National Health Insurance (NHIS): If you have valid Korean National Health Insurance, a significant portion of the consultation, NAAT testing (PCR), and the injectable medication costs will be covered. This makes treatment very affordable.
- Without Insurance: If you do not have NHIS, you will be responsible for the full cost. A basic STD panel including gonorrhea might cost between ₩100,000 to ₩250,000 KRW. Individual tests can be around ₩30,000 to ₩80,000 KRW per test. The medication, particularly injectable antibiotics, would be an additional cost. Clinics in Gangnam are usually transparent about their fees for uninsured patients.
Given the potential for serious complications and antibiotic resistance, prompt and accurate diagnosis and treatment of gonorrhea are vital. Gangnam J Andrology Clinic offers a professional and discreet environment to address these concerns in Seoul.
