Anyone who is sexually active can get gonorrhea. There are often no symptoms. When symptoms do occur it may be mild and can include a burning feeling when peeing. Gonorrhea can impact a woman's ability to have children if left untreated.
How Gonorrhea Spreads
A person who has Gonorrhea can pass it to a partner through sex if they don't use a condom. A pregnant person can also give it to their baby during childbirth. If you are sexually active, talk with your health care provider to determine if you should get tested for gonorrhea or other STIs. A simple lab test can see if you have it.
Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT)
EPT is the clinical practice of treating the sex partners of patients diagnosed with chlamydia or gonorrhea. Health care providers can give the patient prescriptions or medications to take to their partner(s) without examining the partner(s).
The Maine EPT Implementation Rules for treatment guidelines are not current with the updated U.S. CDC treatment guidelines. Updated Maine EPT treatment guidance coming soon. Until then, U.S. CDC treatment guidelines should be referenced and followed. Go to the U.S. CDC website for more information or call 1-800-821-5821 for an EPT specific consult.
As required by law, health care professionals must provide patients infected with chlamydia or gonorrhea counseling and written materials developed by the Maine CDC for their partners who will receive EPT. The following materials can assist health care professionals in counseling and providing EPT to their patients and their partners.