Gonorrhoea treatment and prevention
Gonorrhoea treatment
Gonorrhoea can be effectively treated with antibiotics. Sometimes you may need to be re-tested after your treatment to make sure the treatment has worked.
It is important to avoid having sex, even with a condom, until treatment is finished and tests show you are cured.
Gonorrhoea prevention
Practicing safe sex is the best way to prevent gonorrhoea infection.
It is safest to:
- always use condoms with a water-based lubricant
- always use dental dams for oral sex (a dental dam is a thin square of latex placed over the vulva or anus during oral sex)
- limit your sex partners or have a long-term monogamous relationship where neither of you is already infected
- avoid sex with someone infected with gonorrhoea until after they have finished treatment and are cured
- have regular STI check-ups.
Not sure what to do next?
If you are still concerned about gonorrhoea (the clap), check your symptoms with healthdirect's online Symptom Checker to get advice on when to seek medical attention.
The Symptom Checker guides you to the next appropriate healthcare steps, whether it's self care, talking to a health professional, going to a hospital or calling triple zero (000).
Last reviewed: June 2015
