Can gonorrhea be transmitted through a washing machine?

Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
Updated on December 25, 2024
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The probability of transmitting gonorrhea through a washing machine is very low, but it is still recommended to wash separately for safety. Gonorrhea is mainly transmitted through sexual contact, with patients of the disease being the source of infection. In a few cases, it can also be transmitted through contact with secretions containing gonococci, or through contaminated items such as clothing, bedding, towels, bathtubs, and toilets. Gonococci do not grow well outside the human body and have poor resistance to physical and chemical factors. They can survive for 15 minutes at 42°C, only 5 minutes at 52°C, and die within 1 minute at 60°C. In completely dry environments, they die within 1-2 hours, but in not completely dry environments, and in solutions, they can maintain infectivity for more than ten hours, or even several days. However, gonococci are very sensitive to common disinfectants. If sharing a washing machine, you can add hot water or a disinfectant for washing.

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Is vestibular adenitis gonorrhea?

Bartholin's gland inflammation is not gonorrhea. Gonorrhea is a type of sexually transmitted disease, mainly caused by infection with streptococcus. Clinically, it presents with yellow-green vaginal discharge and itching of the vulva. This can generally be diagnosed by taking a secretion sample for testing at a hospital. Treatment for gonorrhea must also be conducted at a hospital after confirming the presence of streptococcus, typically through topical medications and intravenous anti-inflammatory drugs. Bartholin's gland inflammation occurs when the duct of the Bartholin's gland becomes blocked, forming a cyst that leads to inflammation and swelling at the site of the Bartholin's gland, as well as localized pain in the vulva. This condition can severely affect daily activities and walking for some patients. Treatment for Bartholin's gland inflammation generally starts with medication. If chronic inflammation leads to cyst formation, procedures such as fistulotomy or cyst excision may be performed as treatment. These two are not the same condition.

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Can gonorrhea and AIDS occur at the same time?

Gonorrhea and AIDS are both sexually transmitted diseases, and their transmission routes can be through sexual contact, mother-to-child transmission, and close living contact. The pathogens are different; gonorrhea is mainly caused by an infection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae leading to acute inflammation of the urogenital tract, while AIDS is a sexually transmitted disease caused by an HIV infection, which can affect various organs throughout the body. When infected with one sexually transmitted disease, other pathogens can also infect simultaneously. Therefore, after diagnosing one sexually transmitted disease, it is important to check for the presence of other sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS, genital warts, syphilis, etc., to see if there is a co-infection.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
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What are the symptoms of gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is mainly a type of infectious skin disease caused by infection with gonococcus. Symptoms of gonorrhea differ between men and women, with men generally presenting more obvious symptoms. Typically, men show early symptoms of gonorrhea about a week after infection with gonococcus, including purulent discharge at the urethral opening, accompanied by symptoms such as frequent urination, urgent urination, and painful urination. In women, gonorrhea usually manifests as cervicitis, with purulent or bloody discharge from the vagina. Many women do not notice early symptoms of gonorrhea, which if ignored can lead to delays in treatment and may result in gonococcal pelvic inflammatory disease. Severe cases can lead to infertility or ectopic pregnancies. If gonorrhea is suspected, it is important to visit a reputable hospital and undergo treatment with antibiotics under the guidance of a doctor.

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Gonorrhea testing methods

The methods for detecting gonorrhea generally fall into two main categories. One involves testing for the pathogen of gonorrhea. A simple method is the microscopic examination of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which can be seen under a microscope as Gram-negative diplococci. Another method is the cultivation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, although culturing with medication can occasionally result in false negatives. A more advanced and accurate method is PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), which involves using a urethral swab to detect the DNA of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Currently, this is considered the most sensitive and accurate method available.

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How to diagnose and treat a patient with AIDS who also has gonorrhea?

Patients with AIDS who are also infected with gonorrhea need simultaneous treatment and management. If the AIDS is still in its early stage and the CD4 cells are in a high state, gonorrhea can be treated first, as its treatment is relatively straightforward, primarily involving the use of potent antibiotics. Usually, a course of treatment lasting about one to two weeks can essentially cure it. After curing gonorrhea, anti-HIV treatment can be administered, which tends to be more effective. Both gonorrhea and AIDS are sexually transmitted diseases and can easily co-infect.