For males, treatment is always outpatient for genital infection; however, admission may be necessary for complications such as disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI) or gonococcal arthritis.
In females, the decision is much more difficult, because the risk of complications is much higher. In light of high rates of noncompliance, reinfection, and poor follow-up, some clinicians advocate admitting a female patient whenever a question of a complication such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is present, particularly in the adolescent population.
Many physicians admit patients who have corneal involvement for treatment with IV antibiotics. These patients can be discharged once the infection is under control and the corneal infection is improving.