Gonorrhea Transmission: Can It Spread Beyond the Genitals?

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Gonorrhea most commonly affects the urethra in men and the cervix in women. But there are instances wherein the bacteria may infect the rectum, throat, or eyes. When bacteria from an infected throat is swallowed, such may also spread infection within in the body but rarely does so to life-threatening degrees.