AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) with symptoms of a…
Full specification wording
Bacterial diseases: Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) with symptoms of a thick yellow or green discharge from the vagina or penis and pain on urinating.
Gonorrhoea is a bacterial sexually transmitted disease spread through unprotected sexual contact, including vaginal, oral and anal sex.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 4 of 7
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Gonorrhoea is a bacterial sexually transmitted disease spread through unprotected sexual contact, including vaginal, oral and anal sex. The bacterium infects the moist linings of the reproductive tract. In many people it causes a thick yellow or green discharge from the vagina or penis, and pain when urinating. Some people, especially women, may have mild or no symptoms, so they can pass the infection on without knowing. Diagnosis involves testing a sample of the discharge or a swab, and treatment usually involves antibiotics. Because it is an STD, control depends on prompt treatment, avoiding unprotected sex while infected, and informing partners so they can also be tested and treated.
What earns the marks
- Gonorrhoea is caused by a bacterium and is transmitted sexually, so it is classified as a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
- Typical symptoms include a thick yellow or green discharge from the vagina or penis.
- Another typical symptom is pain on urinating.
- Transmission occurs through unprotected sexual contact, and an infected person may be asymptomatic and still pass on the bacterium.
- Control involves prompt antibiotic treatment, partner notification and avoiding unprotected sexual contact during infection.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Thinking gonorrhoea is caused by a virus.
Put it right: It is caused by a bacterium, which is why antibiotics can be used.
Assuming everyone with gonorrhoea has obvious symptoms.
Put it right: Some people have mild or no symptoms but can still transmit the infection.
Believing gonorrhoea can be spread by casual contact such as sharing food.
Put it right: It is spread sexually, through unprotected sexual contact.
Exam tips
- State the two named symptoms precisely: discharge from the vagina or penis, and pain on urinating.
- Link the sexual transmission route to control measures such as using protection and treating partners.
- Use the abbreviation STD correctly and be ready to explain what it means.
Try the lesson
The start of the Bacterial diseases: Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) with symptoms of a thick yellow or green discharge from the vagina or penis and pain on urinating. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Gonorrhoea is described as a sexually transmitted disease. What does this description tell you about how the disease is passed on?
Listen
Gonorrhoea is a bacterial sexually transmitted disease spread through unprotected sexual contact, including vaginal, oral and anal sex. The bacterium infects the moist linings of the reproductive tract. In many people it causes a thick yellow or green discharge from the vagina or penis, and pain when urinating. Some people, especially women, may have mild or no symptoms, so they can pass the infection on without knowing. Diagnosis involves testing a sample of the discharge or a swab, and treatment usually involves antibiotics. Because it is an STD, control depends on prompt treatment, avoiding unprotected sex while infected, and informing partners so they can also be tested and treated. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Gonorrhoea is caused by a bacterium and is transmitted sexually, so it is classified as a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Typical symptoms include a thick yellow or green discharge from the vagina or penis. Another typical symptom is pain on urinating. Transmission occurs through unprotected sexual contact, and an infected person may be asymptomatic and still pass on the bacterium. A common slip: Thinking gonorrhoea is caused by a virus. Instead, it is caused by a bacterium, which is why antibiotics can be used. Exam tip: State the two named symptoms precisely: discharge from the vagina or penis, and pain on urinating.
See it
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