1. A contagious catarrhal inflammation of the genital mucous membrane, transmitted chiefly by coitus and due to Neisseria gonorrhoeae; which may involve the lower or upper genital tract, especially the urethra, endocervix, and uterine tubes, or spread to the peritoneum and rarely to the heart, joints, or other structures by way of the bloodstream.
2. It is marked in males by urethritis with pain and purulent discharge, but is commonly asymptomatic in females; although it may extend to produce suppurative salpingitis, oophoritis, tubo-ovarian abscess, and peritonitis. Bacteremia occurs in both sexes, resulting in cutaneous lesions. arthritis, and rarely meningitis or endocarditis.
3. Formerly called blennorrhagia and blennorrhea.