The end-of-year festive and party season often leads to a sharp increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs), according to Dr. Le Vu Tan of Binh Dan Hospital. Many patients visit for examination, perplexed because they believed they had been careful but still contracted a disease. A typical example is a 24-year-old man who contracted gonorrhea just days after engaging in oral sex services without penetrative intercourse during post-year-end party celebrations.
Many patients wonder how they contracted the disease, having only engaged in oral sex or used condoms during penetrative intercourse. Explaining this issue, Dr. Tan stated that the most common mistake is complacency during foreplay. Many focus solely on wearing condoms during penetrative sex, neglecting protection during prior contact. Specifically, the belief that the oral cavity is cleaner and safer than the genitals is a dangerous misconception.
In reality, gonorrhea bacteria and other pathogens like Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, or human papillomavirus (HPV) can exist in high concentrations on the pharyngeal mucosa of an infected person. During oral sex, bacteria from the partner's mouth and throat directly enter the male urethra. As the male urethra is a long, warm, and moist conduit, it becomes a perfect environment for gonococcus to rapidly multiply and cause acute infection in a short period.
Regarding symptoms, gonorrhea in men has a relatively short incubation period, averaging from two to seven days. The most characteristic symptom is purulent discharge from the urethral opening in the early morning, commonly known colloquially as the "morning dewdrop." Additionally, patients often experience lower urinary tract symptoms including painful urination and a burning sensation along the urethra. In some severe cases, blood may appear in the urine at the end of the stream, the urethral opening may be swollen and red, and there may be severe burning pain during erection.
Dr. Tan warns that if patients are hesitant to seek medical attention or self-medicate with incorrect treatment regimens, the bacteria can ascend, causing dangerous complications such as bladder inflammation or prostatitis. More seriously, the disease can lead to testicular and epididymal inflammation, which is a leading cause of seminal duct obstruction, resulting in infertility and subfertility. Furthermore, self-administering insufficient doses of antibiotics will lead to antibiotic resistance, making the disease progress to a chronic stage that is very difficult to treat.
Men need to be aware of the effects of alcohol to better control their behavior, avoiding erroneous decisions. It is important to note that oral sex or any form of mucosal contact carries the risk of transmitting sexually transmitted diseases. Specialized condoms for oral sex exist, and although less common, they are a safe option. If suspicious symptoms appear, patients should immediately visit a specialized medical facility for timely testing and treatment, absolutely avoiding self-medication at home.
Le Phuong
