Can a person be born with gonorrhea and have it for years without knowing?

Unlikely but: possible. Newborn exposed to gonorrhea have a purulent eye infection within 48 hours of birth. In the United States, prophylaxis is offered in the form or erythromycin eye ointment at the time of birth

Gonorrhoea: If mother has untreated gonorrhoea , it can be transmitted to babies during child birth. Gonorrhoea acquired this way can cause severe eye infections , this is usually picked up and treated so unlikely to persist for years without knowing .