Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection (which used to be known as 'the clap'). It is caused by a bacterium called neisseria gonorrheoae or gonococcus. The bacteria are found mainly in the semen of infected men and vaginal fluids of infected women, so gonorrhoea is easily passed between people through sexual contact.

Gonorrhoea is most commonly spread through:

• having unprotected sex - including oral and anal sex, and
• sharing vibrators or other sex toys, that have not been washed or covered with a new condom.

Gonorrhoea is the second most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK with over 19,000 cases reported in 2006. Young men aged 20-24 years and women aged 16-19 are most commonly affected.