Private gonorrhoea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) testing at 101 Harley Street. Site-specific PCR testing, rapid results and expert treatment including for antibiotic-resistant strains.
Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is one of the most common bacterial STIs worldwide and remains an important clinical and public health concern. Although gonorrhoea is highly treatable when diagnosed promptly, it presents two particular challenges: symptoms are frequently absent, meaning many people are unaware they are infected; and the bacterium has demonstrated a significant and increasing ability to develop resistance to antibiotics over time.
At The Wright Practice, 101 Harley Street, we offer expert, confidential testing and treatment for gonorrhoea using modern, highly sensitive PCR technology, with site-specific sampling where clinically indicated. For broader information on gonorrhoea, see Gonorrhoea and for our comprehensive screening services, see Comprehensive STI Screening Gonorrhoea frequently co-occurs with chlamydia; for information on chlamydia testing, see Chlamydia
Gonorrhoea is transmitted through sexual contact with an infected individual. The bacterium is unable to survive outside the body for any significant period, so transmission requires direct mucosal contact. The infection can be transmitted during:
The infection can affect a number of anatomical sites, including:
Crucially, gonorrhoea frequently infects the throat and rectum without causing any symptoms whatsoever. This means that people who have had oral or anal contact may carry an infection at these sites without being aware of it, and may continue to transmit the infection to partners. Site-specific testing is therefore essential when these routes of exposure have occurred. Testing only the urethra or providing only a urine sample is a common cause of missed diagnoses.
A significant proportion of people with gonorrhoea experience no symptoms at all, particularly when infection is present only in the throat or rectum. When symptoms do occur, they tend to develop within a few days to two weeks of exposure.
Throat infections are almost always asymptomatic. Even when symptoms are present, they are often mild and non-specific and may not be attributed to a sexually transmitted infection. Testing is the only reliable way to establish whether an infection is present.
Modern gonorrhoea testing uses highly sensitive PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) technology, which detects the genetic material of Neisseria gonorrhoeae directly from a sample. PCR testing is considerably more sensitive and specific than older culture-based methods and is now the standard of care for gonorrhoea diagnosis.
Depending on which anatomical sites may have been exposed, testing may involve:
One of the most common reasons for missed gonorrhoea diagnoses is the failure to test all relevant anatomical sites. Relying on urine testing alone in a patient who has had oral or anal contact will miss infections at the throat and rectum. Our clinical team will ensure that all appropriate sites are sampled based on your individual history.
For information on what to expect from STI testing and how to prepare, see Understanding STI Testing
Gonorrhoea is notable among bacterial STIs for its ability to develop resistance to antibiotics. Over the past several decades, Neisseria gonorrhoeae has successively developed resistance to penicillin, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones and, more recently, to some third-generation cephalosporins. This has led to the emergence of strains that are difficult to treat with standard antibiotic regimens.
Modern treatment remains highly effective for the vast majority of gonorrhoea infections, but careful antibiotic stewardship is essential. This means selecting the most appropriate antibiotic based on current resistance data, ensuring that treatment is given at the correct dose and route, and confirming that treatment has been successful through a test of cure.
Treatment recommendations are periodically updated by public health bodies in response to evolving resistance patterns. At The Wright Practice, treatment is guided by current evidence-based guidelines to ensure both effectiveness and responsible use of antibiotics.
When identified and treated promptly, gonorrhoea rarely causes lasting complications. Left untreated, however, the infection can cause significant health problems.
In rare cases, Neisseria gonorrhoeae can spread beyond the genital tract via the bloodstream and affect other organs and tissues. This condition, known as disseminated gonococcal infection, may manifest as joint pain and swelling, skin lesions or, less commonly, infection affecting the heart or nervous system. Disseminated infection underlines the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
Gonorrhoea remains highly treatable when diagnosed promptly and when treatment is given according to current guidelines. Treatment is usually administered by injection and/or taken by mouth, depending on the site of infection and the current recommended regimen. Your clinician will advise on the most appropriate treatment for your individual situation.
Following treatment, a test of cure, a repeat test to confirm that the infection has been successfully cleared, is recommended as standard practice for gonorrhoea given the potential for treatment failure due to antibiotic resistance. A test of cure is typically performed two weeks after completing treatment.
Sexual partners will also require testing and treatment. Your clinician can advise on partner notification and provide support in approaching this. For individuals with recurrent or frequent exposure to gonorrhoea, a broader discussion around STI prevention strategies may also be helpful. For information on HIV prevention, see Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis and HIV PEP
Yes. Throat and rectal infections with gonorrhoea are very frequently completely asymptomatic. This is one of the most important reasons why site-specific testing is essential. Many patients with gonorrhoea at these sites are unaware of the infection and would not be identified without targeted swabbing from these locations.
PCR testing for gonorrhoea can generally produce a reliable result from around two weeks after a potential exposure, though testing earlier can still be informative. If you have had a very recent exposure and are concerned, your clinician can advise on the most appropriate timing and whether a repeat test would be recommended.
Yes. The vast majority of gonorrhoea infections can be cured with appropriate antibiotic treatment. However, because Neisseria gonorrhoeae has a well-documented capacity to develop antibiotic resistance, it is important that treatment is prescribed by a clinician familiar with current resistance data and guidelines, and that a test of cure is performed to confirm the infection has been cleared.
Partner notification is an important part of managing gonorrhoea. Sexual partners who have been exposed may also be infected and require testing and treatment. Your clinician can advise on how to approach this. Partner notification services are available to help if you find it difficult to inform partners directly.
Yes, in most cases. Gonorrhoea and chlamydia frequently co-occur, and testing for both at the same time is standard practice. A broader sexual health screen, including HIV, syphilis and hepatitis, may also be appropriate depending on your individual circumstances. See Comprehensive STI Screening for further information.
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101 Harley Street, London, W1G 6AH
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