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Gonorrhoea — recognition, testing, and antibiotic resistance

A detailed Australian summary of gonorrhoea — recognition, testing, and antibiotic resistance, with source-attributed priorities, a practical workflow, safety escalation and state or territory implementation boundaries.

JurisdictionAustralia
Source check2026-08-20
Clinical reviewiatroX editorial team · Clinical editorial review · reviewed 2026-08-20 · due 2027-08-20
AudienceHealthcare professionals practising in Australia
This is an iatroX educational summary of named Australia sources, not an official guideline. It does not replace the complete source documents, local policy, specialist advice or clinical judgement. Apply current TGA product information, PBS restrictions, state or territory law, local referral criteria, formulary and antimicrobial policy. A national recommendation does not create uniform service access.

Scope

Take NAAT from every exposed anatomical site and obtain culture before treatment whenever possible to support antimicrobial-resistance surveillance. Treat using the current Australian STI guideline regimen because resistance patterns and recommended therapy change over time. This summary is limited to the population, decisions and escalation boundaries stated in the named source.
sources for this section:Australian STI Guidelines

The Bottom Line

  • Take NAAT from every exposed anatomical site and obtain culture before treatment whenever possible to support antimicrobial-resistance surveillance.
  • Treat using the current Australian STI guideline regimen because resistance patterns and recommended therapy change over time.
  • Pharyngeal infection is harder to eradicate and central to resistance, making culture and test of cure especially important.
  • Test for chlamydia, syphilis and HIV and provide partner notification, abstinence and follow-up advice.
sources for this section:Australian STI Guidelines

Practical clinical workflow

1

Topic-specific assessment action

Take NAAT from every exposed anatomical site and obtain culture before treatment whenever possible to support antimicrobial-resistance surveillance.
2

Topic-specific diagnostic action

Test for chlamydia, syphilis and HIV and provide partner notification, abstinence and follow-up advice.
3

Topic-specific management action

Arrange test of cure for the guideline indications, particularly pharyngeal infection, and retest later for reinfection.
4

Topic-specific follow-through

Beta-lactam allergy requires specialist or sexual-health advice because alternative regimens may have lower efficacy.
sources for this section:Australian STI Guidelines

Safety boundaries and escalation

  • Pelvic or testicular pain, fever, disseminated rash or arthritis, pregnancy complication or neonatal eye infection requires urgent specialist assessment.
  • Neonatal gonococcal conjunctivitis is an ophthalmic and systemic emergency and requires immediate parenteral therapy.
sources for this section:Australian STI Guidelines

Implementation

The named source is national or binational guidance used in Australia, but referral access, public-health directions, formularies and funded services can still differ by state, territory and health service. Check current TGA product information for medicines. Offer culturally safe care and use the NACCHO–RACGP National Guide where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander preventive or chronic-care recommendations differ.
sources for this section:Australian STI Guidelines

Clinical use boundary

This independently written summary is not an official guideline. Check the linked source version, current TGA-approved product information where medicines are involved, and the applicable state, territory and local pathway at the point of care.

sources for this section:Australian STI Guidelines

Source documents

Use the linked source documents for complete recommendations, evidence grading, exclusions and implementation detail.

  1. Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health MedicineAustralian STI Management Guidelines for Use in Primary CareLiving web guideline checked 2026-08-20 · accessed 2026-08-20
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