Super gonorrhoea warning - cases rising and could be fatal, says WHO
Top scientists have warned that potentially fatal silent killer “super gonorrhoea” is on the rise with a warning to Brits who may be concerned about the deadly sexually-transmitted disease.
The WHO also considers Neisseria gonorrhoea, also known as super gonorrhoea, a "priority microorganism" and they are monitoring it closely, experts say, for signs of drug-resistance. Sexually transmitted diseases can spread fast through populations via people having unprotected sex but many can be treated with antibiotics. But Neisseria gonorrhoea, or N. gonorrhoea, is causing concern for the WHO as it is extremely drug resistant, The Star reports.
Dr Teodora Wi, the lead for STIs at the WHO, warned leaving sexually transmitted infections could be deadly. She said: "When untreated, certain STIs can lead to long-term irreversible outcomes and some can be potentially fatal." Current treatments for super gonorrhoea are proving less and less effective as the resistant N. gonorrhoea strain spreads, with countries including the UK, Europe and Asia reporting cases of the disease. Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, France and Ireland have also detected cases of the STI, the WHO has warned.
Their study “suggests high rates of resistance in gonorrhoea to current treatment options” the international body warned. Each year round 82 million new cases of N. gonorrhoea are being reported in people aged between 15 and 49 globally, they said.
“Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in N. gonorrhoea is particularly problematic," the WHO warned, explaining that the disease had high-levels of resistance to the current recommended treatments for gonorrhoea (ceftriaxone and azithromycin) but also including resistance to penicillin, sulphonamides, tetracycline, fluoroquinolones and macrolides.
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Gonorrhoea is usually spread from the bacteria mainly found in discharge from the penis and in vaginal fluid. It can easily pass between people through unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex, as well as sharing sex toys that have not been washed or covered with a new condom each time they're used. The bacteria can infect the entrance to the womb, the tube that passes out of the body, the rectum and less commonly, the throat or eyes.
Symptoms of gonorrhoea:
Pain during urination
Pelvic or abdominal pain
Rectal itching, bleeding or discharge
Pain during bowel movements
Eye pain and discharge
Sore throat
Swollen glands in the neck
Stiff and painful joints
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It's important to visit a health clinic if you're concerned and seek professional advice. Some diseases can go unnoticed and the NHS advises Brits to get a check-up if they're concerned.
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