Disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI) occurs when the
gonorrhea infection spreads to sites other than the
genitals, such as the joints, skin, heart, or blood. DGI occurs in a very small
percentage of all cases of gonorrhea and is more common in women.1 Symptoms may include:
- Fever.
- Skin infection (cellulitis).
- An infection in the
bloodstream (sepsis).
- Inflammation of a joint (arthritis). It most often affects the knees and
hands.
- An infection and inflammation of the heart valves and the
chambers of the heart (endocarditis).
- An infection
of the fluid and tissues that surround the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).
Citations
Marrazzo JM (2003). Infections due to neisseria. In DC
Dale, DD Federman, eds., Scientific American Medicine,
section 7, chap. 3. New York: WebMD.
Marrazzo JM (2003). Infections due to neisseria. In DC
Dale, DD Federman, eds., Scientific American Medicine,
section 7, chap. 3. New York: WebMD.
