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How can gonorrhea spread from the genitals to the bloodstream?

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varicocele — reproductive system disease Varicocele, enlargement of the veins of the spermatic cord, is a cause of infertility in men.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacterium responsible for gonorrhea, primarily infects the mucous membranes of the genitourinary tract. While the infection typically spreads locally along these mucosal surfaces, the bacteria can sometimes enter the bloodstream and disseminate to other parts of the body, a condition known as disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI).12

Once the bacteria enter the circulatory system, they can spread to virtually any organ system. The most common manifestation of this systemic spread is arthritis, which typically affects one or two joints and can lead to permanent disability if left untreated. Other rare but serious complications resulting from this bloodstream dissemination include endocarditis, meningitis, and inflammation of the iris (iritis).12

Prompt medical intervention with antibiotics is essential to prevent these severe systemic complications and to protect long-term health.1