eMedicine Specialties > Ophthalmology > Infectious Disease

Gonococcus: Follow-up

Author: Mounir Bashour, MD, CM, FRCS(C), PhD, FACS, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, McGill University; Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Sherbrooke University; Medical Director, Cornea Laser and Lasik MD
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Nov 2, 2007

Follow-up

Further Inpatient Care

  • Many physicians admit patients who have corneal involvement for intravenous antibiotics. They can be discharged once the infection is under control and the corneal infection is improving.

Further Outpatient Care

  • Patients require close follow-up care to ensure that the infection is improving and the cornea is not becoming involved.

Deterrence/Prevention

  • Safe sexual practices, including condom use

Complications

  • Disseminated systemic infection, meningitis, corneal ulceration, corneal perforation, and endophthalmitis

Prognosis

  • Prognosis is excellent if treated quickly; prognosis is poor if untreated or treated late.

Patient Education

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • Failure to check sexual partners and evaluate them for other STDs

Special Concerns

  • Check patient and sexual partners to make ensure that no other STDs are present.
 


More on Gonococcus

Overview: Gonococcus
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Gonococcus
Treatment & Medication: Gonococcus
Follow-up: Gonococcus
References

References

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Update to CDC's sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2006: fluoroquinolones no longer recommended for treatment of gonococcal infections. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. Apr 13 2007;56(14):332-6. [Medline].

  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Updated recommended treatment regimens for gonococcal infections and associated conditions - United States, April 2007. CDC. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2006/updated-regimens.htm. Accessed July 17, 2007.

  3. Harkins T. Sexually transmitted diseases. Optom Clin. 1994;3(4):129-56. [Medline].

  4. Isenberg SJ, Apt L, Campeas D. Ocular applications of povidone-iodine. Dermatology. 2002;204 Suppl 1:92-5. [Medline].

  5. Kestelyn P, Bogaerts J, Meheus A. Gonorrheal keratoconjunctivitis in African adults. Sex Transm Dis. Oct-Dec 1987;14(4):191-4. [Medline].

  6. Lee JS, Choi HY, Lee JE, Lee SH, Oum BS. Gonococcal keratoconjunctivitis in adults. Eye. Sep 2002;16(5):646-9. [Medline].

  7. Reed K, Jones MW. PPNG conjunctivitis. J Am Optom Assoc. Jun 1984;55(6):425-7. [Medline].

  8. Schwab L, Tizazu T. Destructive epidemic Neisseria gonorrheae keratoconjunctivitis in African adults. Br J Ophthalmol. Jul 1985;69(7):525-8. [Medline].

  9. Tight RR. Gonococcal conjunctivitis. JAMA. May 14 1982;247(18):2499. [Medline].

  10. Ullman S, Roussel TJ, Culbertson WW, Forster RK, Alfonso E, Mendelsohn AD, et al. Neisseria gonorrhoeae keratoconjunctivitis. Ophthalmology. May 1987;94(5):525-31. [Medline].

  11. Ullman S, Roussel TJ, Forster RK. Gonococcal keratoconjunctivitis. Surv Ophthalmol. Nov-Dec 1987;32(3):199-208. [Medline].

  12. Wan WL, Farkas GC, May WN, Robin JB. The clinical characteristics and course of adult gonococcal conjunctivitis. Am J Ophthalmol. Nov 15 1986;102(5):575-83. [Medline].

  13. Zajdowicz TR, Kerbs SB, Berg SW, Harrison WO. Laboratory-acquired gonococcal conjunctivitis: successful treatment with single-dose ceftriaxone. Sex Transm Dis. Jan-Mar 1984;11(1):28-9. [Medline].

Further Reading

Keywords

gonorrhea, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, N gonorrhoeae, hyperacute conjunctivitis, sexually transmitted disease, STD

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Mounir Bashour, MD, CM, FRCS(C), PhD, FACS, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, McGill University; Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Sherbrooke University; Medical Director, Cornea Laser and Lasik MD
Mounir Bashour, MD, CM, FRCS(C), PhD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, American College of International Physicians, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Biomedical Engineering Society, Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Ophthalmological Society, Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists, International College of Surgeons US Section, Ontario Medical Association, Quebec Medical Association, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Fernando H Murillo-Lopez, MD, Senior Surgeon, Unidad Privada de Oftalmologia CEMES
Fernando H Murillo-Lopez, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute; Chief of Section of Ophthalmology Surgical Services, Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare Center, West Los Angeles
Simon K Law, MD, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Christopher J Rapuano, MD, Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Jefferson Medical College; Co-Chairman of the Cornea Service, Co-Chairman of Refractive Surgery Department, Wills Eye Hospital
Christopher J Rapuano, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, Eye Bank Association of America, Pennsylvania Medical Society, and Philadelphia County Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Lance L Brown, OD, MD, Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
HONcode

We subscribe to the
HONcode principles of the
Health On the Net Foundation

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright© 1994- by Medscape.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

DISCLAIMER: The content of this Website is not influenced by sponsors. The site is designed primarily for use by qualified physicians and other medical professionals. The information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. Please check with a physician if you suspect you are ill.