Home Health Center Gonorrhea   Gonorrhea - Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Gonorrhea



There are different tests that help in the diagnosis of gonorrhea. The most effective way is testing the sample of the discharge and observing it under a microscope. However, this is not a foolproof way of testing for gonorrhea.

Gonorrhea is tested using Gram stains. In a Gram stain test the gonorrhea bacteria can be spotted under a microscope. Tests for the diagnosis of gonorrhea are also divided into tests for men and women. For men the test is a gram stain of the urethral discharge. Tests for women include:

• Joint fluid gram stain
• Cervical gram fluid stain

For all these tests, cultures are required to be taken from the patients’ bodies before making a correct diagnosis. These cultures are unequivocal proof and can tell within a span of 24 hours, whether the infection exists. These cultures are taken from areas of infection, making it easier to diagnose. Some of the cultures taken are:

• Blood cultures
• Joint fluid cultures
• Throat swabs
• Rectal cultures
• Endocervical culture for women
• Urethral discharge culture for men

There are even urine tests kits which can determine gonorrhea, making it easier to diagnose. If an adult tests positive for gonorrhea, health clinics and hospitals often also test for other sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia, syphilis and even HIV.