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Gonorrhea

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is the second most commonly reported STD in the state.

Health care professionals should go to the Health Care Professionals webpage for information on reporting STDs and other items.

Am I at risk for gonorrhea?

If you are having sex, you can get gonorrhea. You are at greater risk if you are a:

  • Teenager having sex
  • Person with any STD
  • Person with a sex partner who has an STD
  • Person with more than one sex partner
  • Person with a new sex partner
  • Person using a social app to find new sex partners

How can I avoid getting gonorrhea?

There are many ways to prevent getting gonorrhea and it’s as easy as ABC.

  • Avoid having sex until you feel prepared to protect yourself.
  • Be monogamous or have sex with just one person who only has sex with you and doesn’t have any STDs. You can find out if both of you have an STD like gonorrhea by getting tested together.
  • Condoms can protect you from getting gonorrhea but only where they cover. If you are not using them for oral sex, you can still get gonorrhea.

Fact sheets

Learn more about the causes, risk factors, and treatment of gonorrhea:

CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) fact sheet in English and in Spanish

Testing and treatment

Find locations around the state where you can get tested. Many of these locations allow you to get expedited partner therapy (EPT) for your partner.

Last revised February 13, 2023