"The drip" is slang for gonorrhea, because a typical symptom of this sexually transmitted disease (STD) is a discharge—or a drip—from the vagina or penis.

When guys get this bacterial infection, it often--but not always--hurts when they pee. Girls can also experience painful urination and an unusual discharge from the vagina. The discharge may be different in amount, color, or consistency. It's also possible to get gonorrhea in the throat, if you give oral sex to an infected person.

Gonorrhea can be cured with antibiotics. If left untreated, it can cause severe infections in the reproductive system and sterility in men and infertility in women, meaning they'll be unable to have children. A doctor tests for gonorrhea in the throat, anus, or urine, or by swabbing the cervix or urethra (in a male).

The best way to avoid gonorrhea—and any STD—is to always use a condom and other latex barriers when you have sex, get tested reguarly, and be selective about your partners. The more people you have sex with, the greater your chances of infection.

If you're sexually active, get tested for gonorrhea each year, just to be safe and sure. Most clinics and hospitals offer free or low-cost STD testing. To find a clinic near you, check the yellow pages under "Clinics" or "Family Planning," or locate a Planned Parenthood Health Center near you at 1-800-230-PLAN (7526) or click here.

Have more questions? Click here, or call the National STD Hotline at 1-800-227-8922.