On 28/7, Doctor Nguyen The Thinh from the Kidney - Urology and Andrology Surgery Department at E Hospital, Hanoi, reported that a patient sought examination due to an unusually strong odor in his genital area. He also experienced persistent yellowish-turbid discharge from the tip of his penis, a swollen urethral opening, and increasingly painful urination.
The doctor suspected acute urethritis caused by a sexually transmitted agent and ordered a PCR test on a urine sample, which returned positive for Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria.
The man disclosed that a few weeks earlier, he had met a woman on Facebook. After chatting online, they decided to meet at a motel. He stated he used a condom, believing it offered complete protection, but also engaged in oral sex. The patient expressed concern about how to explain the situation to his wife. The doctor noted that while the man was careful to use a condom, he was negligent during oral foreplay, leading to the transmission of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) from this encounter. The patient is currently undergoing antibiotic treatment as prescribed and must abstain from sexual activity during this period.
Oral sex involves stimulating a partner's genitals with the mouth, lips, or tongue. While often perceived as safer than penetrative intercourse, many sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be contracted through oral sex, including gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, genital warts, herpes, hepatitis A, B, and C, and HIV.
"During oral sex, men often forgo condoms, believing there's no risk of infection," the doctor explained. "However, pathogens such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria and the HIV virus can easily transmit from a partner's throat or pharynx to any minor abrasions or wounds on the penis."
Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This bacterium commonly resides in the vagina, cervix, eyes, mouth, and anus, and is particularly prevalent in the male urethra. The infection can affect individuals of all ages, though it is most common among men and women in their reproductive years.
Common symptoms in men include purulent discharge from the penis, the quantity of which varies with the infection's severity. Gonorrhea can also affect the rectum, causing anal itching, bleeding, diarrhea, and painful bowel movements. If the infection spreads to surrounding areas like the scrotum and testicles, men are at risk of developing epididymitis, which is accompanied by groin pain and can lead to infertility.
In contrast to men, women with gonorrhea often experience no specific symptoms, leading to the infection being overlooked or mistaken for common gynecological conditions. In advanced stages, symptoms may include painful urination, greenish-yellow pus discharge from the urethra and cervix, and an unusual foul odor in the genital area.
Doctors advise cultivating fidelity with one partner as the most effective method for preventing sexually transmitted infections. Additionally, individuals should avoid oral sex if they have oral sores or gum inflammation. It is important to prevent semen from coming into contact with the mouth and to cease oral sex before ejaculation. The use of condoms during oral sex is also recommended.
Thuy Quynh
