Acute adult respiratory distress syndrome associated with gonococcal septicemia

A case of gonococcal septicemia with monoarticular arthritis and adult respiratory distress syndrome is presented. Prompt treatment of the infection and early treatment for the adult respiratory distress syndrome prior to the full development of the syndrome appeared to ameliorate the course of illness to the extent that intubation and mechanical ventilation were not required. The patient was successfully traeted in a community hospital with a relatively short course of therapy and full recovery.