Gonorrhea: Symptoms, Testing, Treatment, and How It Differs From NGU

Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Medicine does not divide it into “true gonorrhea” and a second false form of the same disease. The Thai phrase often translated as “false gonorrhea” may refer to chlamydia or be confused with nongonococcal urethritis (NGU), which requires separate testing.

Symptoms

Possible symptoms include painful urination, discharge, pelvic pain, testicular pain, sore throat, or rectal pain and discharge. Many infections cause no symptoms, particularly in the cervix, throat, or rectum.

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Testing

NAAT is performed on urine or samples from exposed sites. Culture may be needed for antimicrobial resistance. Testing only one site can miss throat or rectal infection.

Treatment

Use current guideline-recommended antibiotics. Because resistance is increasing, do not self-treat with purchased antibiotics. Partners may need assessment and treatment. Avoid sex for the advised period and retest when indicated.

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Chlamydia and NGU

Chlamydia trachomatis is one cause of NGU, but NGU has other causes. The three terms should not be used interchangeably.

Verified references

Links and relevance to the article’s main topic were reviewed on 13 August 2026. Each source supports only the scope stated in the original document and does not replace personalised medical, legal, or service advice.

1. CDC: About Gonorrhea Accessed 13 August 2026
2. CDC: STI Treatment Guidelines Accessed 13 August 2026