This page is general health information, not medical advice. It cannot tell you whether you have an infection. A clinician can, and the testing options on this site are a good place to start.

Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that spreads through sexual contact. It is common, it is often quiet, and it is treatable. Many people have no symptoms at all, which is why testing matters more than guessing.

This guide covers what the bacterium is, the symptoms of gonorrhea at each body site, how testing works, how clinicians approach gonorrhea treatment, and where to get tested in San Antonio. It also answers a question many readers have: is gonorrhea curable?

Nothing here can tell you whether you have an infection. Only a test and a clinician can do that. This page explains what those steps look like so they feel less unfamiliar.

The short answers

Is gonorrhea curable? Yes. The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) describe gonorrhea as a bacterial infection that is cured with antibiotics prescribed by a clinician.
Do symptoms always show up? No. The CDC notes that many infections cause no symptoms, especially in the throat and rectum, and often in the cervix.
Does testing need to match the body site? Often, yes. A urine test or genital swab does not look at the throat or rectum.
Is testing available in San Antonio at no cost? Several local clinics list free testing, and Texas offers free mailed kits. Details are below.

What gonorrhea is: the organism behind it

The ingredient-style question here is about the bacterium itself. Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacterium that grows best in warm, moist tissue. That includes the urethra, cervix, rectum, throat and eyes.

Two features of its biology explain most of what follows in this article.

It infects mucous membranes. Because of that, the infection can sit in the genital tract, the throat or the rectum, depending on the type of sexual contact. It can be in more than one place at once.
It changes quickly. Research summarized by the CDC shows this bacterium has repeatedly developed resistance to antibiotics over the decades. That shapes how clinicians choose treatment today.

Gonorrhea is not caused by hygiene, by a number of partners or by any kind of personal failing. It is a bacterium, and anyone who is sexually active can be exposed to it.

Symptoms of gonorrhea by body site

The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) describe symptoms that differ by site. Symptoms, when they appear, can also be mistaken for other conditions, such as a urinary tract infection or a sore throat from a cold.

Genital infection

In people with a penis, the CDC describes urethral infection as the most common form. Symptoms can include:

Burning or pain when urinating.
White, yellow or green discharge from the penis.
Pain or swelling in one testicle in some cases.

In people with a cervix and vagina, the CDC notes that symptoms are often mild or absent. When they appear, they can include:

A change in vaginal discharge.
Burning when urinating.
Bleeding between periods.
Pelvic or lower belly discomfort.

Because these signs are easy to overlook, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for gonorrhea in sexually active women aged 24 and younger. It also recommends screening in older women who are at increased risk. Screening means testing before any symptoms appear.

Throat infection

The CDC states that gonorrhea in the throat usually causes no symptoms. Some people notice a sore throat, but that has many other possible causes. A throat infection can pass to partners without anyone knowing it is there.

Rectal infection

Rectal gonorrhea also often causes no symptoms, according to the CDC. When symptoms do occur, they can include:

Discharge from the rectum.
Itching or soreness.
Pain with bowel movements.
Bleeding.

What happens if it is not treated

The CDC explains that untreated gonorrhea can lead to complications. In people with a cervix, it can spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease, which can affect fertility and cause long-term pelvic pain. In people with a penis, it can cause inflammation of the epididymis, a tube near the testicle. Rarely, the infection can enter the bloodstream and affect the joints or skin.

These outcomes are a reason to test, not a reason for alarm. They are largely preventable when an infection is found and treated.

Why site-specific testing matters

A test only looks at the place where the sample was taken. A urine sample or genital swab checks the genital tract. It does not check the throat or rectum.

The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) recommend testing at the sites of sexual contact. For example, the CDC recommends that men who have sex with men be tested at least once a year for gonorrhea at each site of exposure. The CDC also recommends more frequent testing, every 3 to 6 months, for people at increased risk. Research summarized in the guidelines shows that throat and rectal infections are often found in people who have no symptoms and a negative genital test.

The test used for most sites is called a nucleic acid amplification test, or NAAT. It looks for the genetic material of the bacterium. A clinician can tell you which samples to collect based on the kinds of sexual contact you have had. Telling them is not a confession. It is information that helps them choose the right swabs.

If you are using a mailed at-home kit, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) page for its free kits does not spell out which body sites the kit samples. Check that before you order, and ask a clinic about throat and rectal testing if those apply to you.

How long after contact should I test?

The CDC does not publish a single, firm window period for gonorrhea in the guidelines used for this article. A clinician can advise on timing based on your situation. If you have recently had contact with a partner who was diagnosed, tell the clinic. They may treat or test differently.

Gonorrhea treatment: the CDC approach

Gonorrhea treatment is prescribed by a clinician. This article does not give doses, because the right choice depends on your test results, other infections, allergies and pregnancy status.

Here is what the CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021), with the CDC's later updates, describe at a high level:

The CDC currently recommends a single injected antibiotic, ceftriaxone, for uncomplicated gonorrhea. It is given in a clinic.
If chlamydia has not been ruled out, clinicians may add a second antibiotic for that infection, because the two often occur together.
Treatment is recommended soon after a positive test, and people are advised to avoid sexual contact until they and their partners are treated.

Clinicians also adjust the approach for people who are allergic to certain antibiotics, who are pregnant or who have complications. If you have an allergy, tell the clinic early.

Test of cure for throat infections

For most genital and rectal gonorrhea, the CDC does not recommend a routine repeat test right after treatment, as long as the recommended regimen was used. Throat infection is different. The CDC recommends a test of cure for pharyngeal (throat) gonorrhea, which is a follow-up test 7 to 14 days after treatment using a NAAT. The reason is that throat infections have been harder to clear than infections at other sites.

The CDC also recommends retesting about three months after treatment for anyone who has had gonorrhea. This catches a new infection from a partner who was not treated or a new exposure. It does not mean the first treatment failed.

Treating partners

Partners need testing and treatment too, or the infection can pass back and forth. The CDC explains that expedited partner therapy (EPT) lets a clinician provide treatment for a patient's partners without a separate visit. According to the CDC's legal status summary for Texas, there is no EPT statute here. Instead, Texas Medical Board and pharmacy rules allow physicians to prescribe for partners of an established patient, and allow pharmacists to dispense those prescriptions. Ask your clinician whether EPT is an option for you.

Is gonorrhea curable? Antibiotic resistance explained

Yes, gonorrhea is curable. The CDC states that bacterial STIs are curable with the right antibiotics. This is different from HIV, herpes and HPV, which are treatable and manageable but not curable.

The part that deserves attention is resistance. The CDC reports that N. gonorrhoeae has developed resistance to nearly every class of antibiotic used against it over time. As a result, the options clinicians can rely on have narrowed, and CDC treatment recommendations have changed several times.

Research suggests several things help slow resistance:

Using the regimen a clinician prescribes and finishing it.
Not sharing or saving antibiotics.
Getting a follow-up test when the CDC recommends one, especially for the throat.
Telling a clinician if symptoms continue after treatment, so they can run a culture and check for resistance.

Resistance is a public health concern, not a reason to avoid testing. Treatment still works for most people, and clinics and health departments monitor resistance patterns closely.

A note on doxy-PEP

In 2024 the CDC issued guidance on doxycycline taken after sex, called doxy-PEP, as a way to lower the chance of certain bacterial STIs. The CDC recommends that clinicians consider it for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, and for transgender women, who have had a bacterial STI in the past year. Research summarized by the CDC suggests it reduces syphilis and chlamydia a good deal, and gonorrhea to a smaller degree. That smaller effect is partly tied to existing resistance to the antibiotic.

Doxy-PEP is a prescription decision made with a clinician. It does not replace testing. In San Antonio, the San Antonio AIDS Foundation lists Doxy PEP among its services. Kind Clinic says it offers doxyPEP to its own patients only.

Safety, side effects and who should talk to a clinician first

Antibiotics for gonorrhea are widely used, and most people tolerate them well. Still, a clinician should know about the following before prescribing:

Any past allergic reaction to antibiotics, including penicillin or cephalosporins.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Other medicines you take, including over-the-counter products.
Liver or kidney conditions.

Common side effects of antibiotics can include stomach upset. Tell the clinic about a rash, swelling, trouble breathing or any other reaction right away. Pregnancy matters especially: the CDC recommends gonorrhea screening in pregnant people who are under 25 or at increased risk, and treatment is chosen with pregnancy in mind.

Quality indicators: what a good testing visit looks like

Since this is a testing topic rather than a product, the useful quality question is how to tell a sound testing experience. Look for these signs:

Site-appropriate samples. The clinic asks about the kinds of sexual contact you have had and offers throat or rectal swabs when they apply.
NAAT testing. This is the CDC's recommended test type for gonorrhea.
A clear plan for results. You know when and how results will arrive, and what happens if one is positive.
Treatment or a referral. The clinic treats you or tells you where to go, and explains follow-up testing.
Respect. Staff ask questions without judgment, whatever your gender, orientation or relationships.

No test is perfect. A clinician can explain how to read a result in light of your recent exposures.

Gonorrhea in San Antonio: what the local data show

Gonorrhea is reported to the state. Texas DSHS lists gonorrhea as a notifiable condition in its Texas Notifiable Conditions list for 2026, with a reporting window of within one week. That is a public health duty for clinicians and labs. Reports are used to track trends and guide services.

The Texas DSHS STD Surveillance Report for 2022 recorded 5,983 reported gonorrhea cases in Bexar County. That works out to 290.5 cases per 100,000 people. For the same year, DSHS reported 207.0 cases per 100,000 people statewide. So the Bexar County rate was higher than the Texas rate in 2022.

DSHS notes that numbers from earlier years can shift slightly as data are cleaned. Reported cases also reflect how much testing is happening, so the count is a floor, not a full picture. More testing finds more infections, including ones that would have gone unnoticed.

One more local point matters for younger readers. Texas Family Code Section 32.003 allows a minor of any age to consent to diagnosis and treatment of a reportable infectious disease, which covers reportable STIs, and parent consent is not needed. The same statute lets a physician tell a parent or guardian about treatment, with or without the minor's consent. So a clinic may choose to share, and it is fair to ask about the clinic's practice before the visit.

Where to get tested in San Antonio

The clinics below come from each clinic's own published information. Hours and services can change, so call before you go. For a longer list with more detail, see our guide to where to get tested for STDs in San Antonio.

Clinic	What the clinic lists	Cost	Contact
Metro Health STI Walk-In Clinic, 512 E. Highland, Suite 150	STI and HIV testing, treatment and counseling. Walk-in. Mon to Thu 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (latest check-in 3 p.m.); Fri 7:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (latest check-in 10:30 a.m.). Check-in may close early at capacity. Serves San Antonio and Bexar County residents and people with no other way to get STI care. Photo ID required; no anonymous testing.	$15 office visit administrative fee; other fees vary by service	210-207-8830
San Antonio AIDS Foundation, 818 E. Grayson Street	Rapid HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia testing. No appointment needed. Gonorrhea and chlamydia results take 7 to 10 days through the state lab. Hours: Mon 8:30 to 4:00; Tue 12:00 to 8:00; Wed and Thu 8:30 to 4:00; Fri 9:00 to 1:00; Sat 11:00 to 3:00; closed Sunday.	Free	(210) 225-4715
Alamo Area Resource Center, 303 N. Frio	Free testing for HIV, hepatitis C, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia. Walk-ins Mon to Fri 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Wednesday until 8 p.m.	Free	(210) 625-7200
Kind Clinic, 730 Isom Road	HIV and STI testing and STI treatment, with walk-in testing. Walk-in testing hours differ from clinic hours, so confirm before you go.	Free walk-in testing; cost of other visits not stated	833-937-5463 (general support line)
BEAT AIDS	Confidential testing and treatment for common STIs. The site does not say which location does the testing, so call first.	Free and confidential	210.212.2266
CommuniCare Apollo Wellness Clinic, 6511 W Loop 1604 N, Ste. 105	STD and HIV screening and testing. Mon to Fri 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.	Sliding fee for self-pay patients with family income under 200% of federal poverty guidelines	(726) 224-3438
CentroMed	Screening and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, listed under women's services. The page does not say which clinic sites offer it.	Sliding fee scale by income and family size; CentroMed says no one is denied for inability to pay	210-922-7000

The Metro Health page asks patients to bring a current photo ID. If anonymous testing matters to you, ask the other clinics about their policies, since the Metro Health clinic does not offer it.

Free testing by mail

Texas DSHS runs Test for Texas, which offers free mailed at-home kits for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia to anyone in Texas aged 13 or older. No insurance is needed. DSHS says results arrive in a secure portal seven business days after the sample reaches the lab. The order page is testfortexas.org. As noted above, ask whether the kit covers throat or rectal samples if you need those.

For a nationwide directory, the CDC's GetTested locator lets you search by ZIP code for testing sites.

Helpful steps before you go

Call to confirm hours, since some walk-in clinics close check-in early when they are busy.
Tell the clinician about the kinds of sexual contact you have had so the right samples are collected.
Ask when and how you will get results.
Ask about partner treatment if your result is positive.
If throat gonorrhea is found, ask about the follow-up test 7 to 14 days after treatment.

Key takeaways

Gonorrhea is curable with antibiotics prescribed by a clinician.
Symptoms of gonorrhea may be absent, especially in the throat and rectum, so testing is the only way to know.
Testing should match the sites of sexual contact, because a urine or genital sample does not check the throat or rectum.
The CDC recommends a test of cure for throat infections and retesting about three months after treatment for everyone treated.
Antibiotic resistance is real, which is one more reason to follow clinician guidance and return for recommended follow-up.
San Antonio has several free or low-cost options, plus free mailed kits from the state.

Gonorrhea: Symptoms, Testing and Treatment in San Antonio