What causes gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Gonorrhea is spread during vaginal, anal or oral sex with an infected partner. A pregnant woman may pass the infection to her newborn during delivery.

Gonorrhea can be transmitted at any time by a person who is infected with the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae, whether or not symptoms are present. A person who is infected with gonorrhea is always contagious until he or she has been treated.

Having a gonorrhea infection once does not protect you from getting another infection in the future. A new exposure to gonorrhea will cause reinfection, even if you were previously treated and cured.