How Do You Catch Gonorrhoea?
Also known as ‘the clap’, gonorrhoea is the second-most common STD in the UK after chlamydia. But, with so many active cases in 2024, how do you protect yourself against an infection? Our resident Medical Director, Dr Rashid Bani, is here to help. But first, how do you catch gonorrhoea?
Gonorrhoea is spread via contact with an infected person’s genital fluids, so you can catch the infection via:
- Unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex
- Touching the genital region of an infected person, and then touching your own (and vice versa)
- Sharing sex toys that haven’t been washed between uses, or sharing sex toys without using protection
- Tribbing/tribadism (where two people rub genitals together)
Read on to learn how gonorrhoea is spread, if you can catch it from kissing or a toilet seat, as well as answers to your commonly asked questions…
How Do You Catch Gonorrhoea?
Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria are primarily found in vaginal or penile fluid and semen, so the infection is usually spread when these fluids come into contact. This usually happens through:
- Engaging in vaginal, anal, or oral sex without protection
- Touching the genital area of an infected person, then touching your own (and vice versa)
- Sharing unwashed sex toys or using them without protection
- Participating in tribbing/tribadism, where genitals are rubbed together
It is important to note that gonorrhoea can still be spread without ejaculation or an orgasm taking place.
Can You Get Gonorrhoea Even When Using a Condom?
When used correctly and consistently, wearing a condom during vaginal, anal, or oral sex will massively reduce the risk of gonorrhoea transmission, so it is a great way of protecting yourself against infection. Because gonorrhoea is spread via genital fluids, there is a small risk of transmission if the condom breaks, or isn’t used correctly.
Condoms can also protect against chlamydia, HIV and trichomoniasis. However, they can’t protect against herpes, syphilis, and genital warts, as these STDs are spread via skin-to-skin contact.
Can You Get Gonorrhoea Without Having Sex?
Yes, you can get gonorrhoea without having penetrative sex (i.e. penis-in-vagina or anal sex). Without having sex, gonorrhoea is spread by sharing sex toys without using protection or cleaning between uses, or mutual masturbation without using protection. However, you cannot catch gonorrhoea through non-sexual contact such as:
- Sharing towels
- Sharing cutlery/cups
- Holding hands
- Hugging
- Sharing a toilet seat
- Kissing
- Swimming pools, hot tubs, and jacuzzies
Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria struggle to survive outside of the body, so they often won’t survive long enough for towels/cutlery/toilet seats to transmit the infection.
Can You Catch Gonorrhoea From a Toilet Seat?
No, you can’t catch gonorrhoea from a toilet seat. Even if someone with gonorrhoea has used it before you, the bacteria that causes a gonorrhoea infection can’t live outside the body at room temperature, for any more than a minute (if that!).
Alongside the very small chance that there are even Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria present on the toilet seat, it would have to come into contact with a sore around your genital region, or into the genital or urethral tract to cause infection.
Learn more in one of our helpful blogs: Can you catch an STI from a toilet seat?
Can You Get Gonorrhoea From Kissing?
Whilst it is uncommon, you can get mild oropharyngeal gonorrhoea, or oral gonorrhoea, from kissing someone with an infection in their mouth. However, the transmitted infection would only be present in your mouth and throat, and not your genital region.
If you are keen to learn more about catching gonorrhoea through kissing, read our helpful blog: What is Oral Gonorrhoea & Does it Clear On its Own?
Can Gonorrhoea Be Transmitted During Childbirth?
Yes, unfortunately, gonorrhoea can pass from mum to baby as the baby passes through the vaginal canal during birth. This is because the infection will be present in the vaginal fluids of the mother, and there is simply no way of avoiding contact.
If you’re pregnant and suspect that you have a gonorrhoea infection or any other STD, please consult your GP as soon as possible. Most STDs can be treated with antibiotics, even during pregnancy.
How Long Does it Take To Show Symptoms Of Gonorrhoea?
On average, gonorrhoea takes around 2 weeks (14 days) after exposure to the infection to present symptoms. These symptoms might include:
- Pain in and around the genital region
- Unusual penile or vaginal discharge
- Pain whilst urinating
Having no symptoms does not clear you of a gonorrhoea infection. Most people won’t ever present symptoms even if they have the STD, increasing the chances of unknowingly spreading the infection to other partners.
Learn more about how long gonorrhoea takes to show in our detailed blog, How long does it take for gonorrhoea to show up?
Get Tested For Gonorrhoea With Your Sexual Health
If you have symptoms of a gonorrhoea infection, or you have had sex with someone with a positive test result, then you need to get tested straight away. At Your Sexual Health, we have a range of reliable and comprehensive tests to choose from, as well as multiple testing options for your convenience.
We have 150+ sexual health clinics located across the UK, or, if you prefer a more discreet testing option, you can choose one of our postal STD tests.
Need help choosing the right test? Get in touch with our team on 0161 660 2599 – we’d be happy to help.
