What is a Gonorrhoea rash?

A Gonorrhoea rash usually looks like this:

• a small number of spots, often between 3 and 20
• spots mainly on the arms and legs, especially near the joints of the hands and feet
• small red spots that can turn into pus-filled spots, often with blood in them, within a day or two
• spots that can be sore or painful

The spots can be flat or raised, and they can take different forms, including tiny red dots, pimple-like pustules and fluid-filled blisters. The rash can affect the body, palms and soles, but it usually doesn’t affect the face, scalp or mouth. Read more in “What STIs can cause a face rash?”

Gonorrhoea usually infects the genitals, rectum or throat. Rarely, the bacteria get into the bloodstream and spread to other parts of the body. This is called disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI).

Older estimates suggest DGI happens in between 0.5% and 3% of people with untreated Gonorrhoea. In England, 25 confirmed and 7 probable cases were reported between 2019 and June 2023, although health officials think many more cases go unreported.

Doctors classically describe DGI in two ways:

• painful joints, inflamed tendons and a skin rash
• one or more painful, swollen joints filled with pus (septic arthritis), with or without other symptoms

A rash doesn’t always appear. Older studies found skin spots in most people with DGI, and in England skin spots were one of the most common signs. But in an Australian study of 106 people with DGI, fewer than 1 in 10 had skin spots, while nearly 9 in 10 had a joint infection.

As well as a rash, disseminated Gonorrhoea can cause:

• a fever, chills and feeling generally unwell
• pain or swelling in one or more joints, which can move from joint to joint
• pain along the tendons, for example in the wrists, hands or ankles

Rarely, it can affect the heart, the lining of the brain or the lining around the liver.

Importantly, many people with DGI have no symptoms of Gonorrhoea in their genitals, bottom or throat. This means a rash or painful joints can be the first sign that you have Gonorrhoea.

Anyone with untreated Gonorrhoea can develop DGI, but some people are at higher risk, including:

• women, especially during a period or pregnancy
• people with a rare immune problem called complement deficiency
• people taking certain medicines that affect the immune system, such as eculizumab

Even so, in England, 15 of the 17 DGI cases with detailed records from 2019 to 2023 were in men.

Yes. DGI is a serious infection. If you have Gonorrhoea, or think you might, and you get a rash, a high temperature, or joint pain or swelling, get urgent medical care.

DGI is treated with the antibiotic ceftriaxone, given daily by injection or drip, often in hospital. In England, 10 of the 17 cases with detailed records were treated in hospital, and all were treated successfully.

Uncomplicated Gonorrhoea, which hasn’t spread, is usually treated with a single ceftriaxone injection. Getting tested and treated early lowers your risk of DGI.

Many people with Gonorrhoea don’t notice any symptoms. Most men with Gonorrhoea in the urethra get symptoms, but many women don’t, and infections in the throat and rectum usually cause no symptoms.

When symptoms do appear, they usually start within about 2 weeks of infection, often within a few days in men, although sometimes not until months later. They can include:

• a yellow or green discharge from the vagina
• fluid or discharge from the penis
• burning pain when peeing
• pain in the lower tummy, or bleeding between periods
• sore testicles
• pain, itching or discharge from the bottom
• a sore throat

Gonorrhoea can also pass to a baby’s eyes during birth, which can cause blindness if it isn’t treated. Read more in “Can Gonorrhoea infect the mouth?”

Gonorrhoea is an unusual cause of a rash. Several other infections passed on through sex can also cause a rash.

Syphilis

The second stage of Syphilis can cause a rash on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet that can spread over the body. It isn’t usually itchy, and it can be so faint that you don’t notice it.

HIV

Some people get a short flu-like illness 2 to 6 weeks after catching HIV, which can include a skin rash.

Herpes

Herpes causes small blisters that burst to leave red, open sores, often after a tingling, burning or itching feeling.

Scabies

Scabies causes intense itching, especially at night, and a raised rash or spots. It spreads through close skin contact, including sex.

Mpox

The Mpox rash starts as raised spots, which turn into sores or small blisters and then scabs. It can appear anywhere, including the palms, soles, mouth, genitals and anus.

Zika

Zika is mainly spread by mosquitoes, but it can also be passed on through sex. Symptoms, which can include a rash, fever, joint pain and red eyes, usually start 3 to 14 days after infection, although most people have no symptoms.

If you have a rash with a fever or painful joints, get urgent medical care first, even if you have had a negative STI test. In DGI, tests of the genitals, bottom and throat can be negative.

If you are worried you might have Gonorrhoea, the right test depends on the kind of sex you have had:

• Peace of Mind: a blood and urine test for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea and Syphilis, from 14 days, with results in 2 days. It is available at our clinics and as a home test kit.
• Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea (Throat Swab): if you have given oral sex, because a urine test won’t pick up an infection in the throat.
• Confidence Screen: adds throat and anal swabs for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea to our Full Screen, from 28 days.

Not sure which test you need? Our Patient Care Team is available 24/7 on 020 7099 0955.

Can Gonorrhoea cause a rash on your face?

It is very unlikely. The rash from disseminated Gonorrhoea usually affects the arms, legs, hands and feet, and it usually doesn’t affect the face, scalp or mouth.

Can you have Gonorrhoea without symptoms?

Yes. Many women with Gonorrhoea notice no change, and infections in the throat and rectum usually cause no symptoms. Many people with DGI have no genital symptoms either.

How rare is a Gonorrhoea rash?

Rare. Older estimates suggest Gonorrhoea spreads through the body in 0.5% to 3% of untreated infections, and even then a rash doesn’t always appear.

A Gonorrhoea rash is rare, but it is a sign that the infection has spread through the body and needs urgent treatment. It often comes with a fever and painful joints, and it can happen even if you have no genital symptoms.

If you are worried about Gonorrhoea, get tested. Book a Peace of Mind test at a clinic near you or order a home test kit. Our Patient Care Team is available 24/7 on 020 7099 0955.

Not in the UK? Choose your country from the selector at the top of the page for local tests and prices.

This article originally appeared on 30 June 2023 and was last updated on 29 September 2026.

Medical review. This article was medically reviewed by Dr Steve Chapman, Doctor with a wealth of clinical experience in the field of STIs, on 2 October 2024. It is general information and not a substitute for personal medical advice.

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