How Is Gonorrhea Diagnosis Made?
Testing for gonorrhea is as simple as testing for pregnancy using a cup of urine. A physician or nurse may examine a patient for the presence of an abnormal emission from the urethra, anus, or vagina. Occasionally, physicians collect cell samples from the throat, penis, urethra, anus, or cervix using a swab. The samples are then examined for the presence of gonorrhea bacteria. In addition, gonorrhea symptoms may resemble those of other commonly occurring STDs, such as chlamydia, so the physician or nurse will test the patient for a series of infections. (7)
You should test yourself for the presence of a gonorrhea infection despite the fact that the idea of testing may be frightening. Regular testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is part of becoming a responsible adult and taking care of one’s health. Fortunately, the gonorrhea infection and its symptoms are completely curable with the correct medication. Moreover, the quicker you receive a gonorrhea diagnosis, the quicker you will recover.
A healthcare provider or professional can validate a gonorrhea diagnosis in a variety of ways:
Urine testing: Typically, a urine test can aid in the diagnosis of gonorrhea.
A healthcare provider may also obtain a sample of fluid for diagnostic testing by swabbing the vagina, rectum, pharynx, or penis. The examination of fluid samples requires a laboratory culture, which can take several days.
In extremely uncommon instances, a healthcare provider may use a blood sample to diagnose gonorrhea. Blood testing may not always be conclusive, however.
You will typically receive the results of gonorrhea testing within a few days, though this can vary depending on the type of test or the location of the clinic. Several clinics may provide test results within a few hours. If you suspect that you have gonorrhea, you must refrain from engaging in sexual activity until you receive a negative test result. Additionally, you may want to consider purchasing a gonorrhea testing tool that you can perform at home.
To determine whether a patient has gonorrhea or not, the healthcare professional will analyze the cell sample. Cell samples may pass through:
Urine analysis
A urine test can assist in the identification of urethral microorganisms.
A specimen taken from the affected region
Swabbing the throat, vagina, rectum, or urethra can capture microorganisms that can be identified in the lab.
In the case of women, gonorrhea testing devices are available for self-administration. The at-home test kits consist of vaginal specimens for self-testing, which are then sent to a designated laboratory for gonorrhea confirmation. Additionally, you can choose to receive test result notifications via email or text message. You can also access your test results via the Internet or a toll-free number. The physician may also recommend testing for additional STDs or infections. Chlamydia is frequently associated with gonorrhea and increases the risk of contracting other sexually transmitted infections. (8)
