Gonorrhea on the Brink: Experts Warn It Could Become ‘Untreatable’ by 2024 – What You Need to Know.
Record High Cases of Gonorrhea
In 2023, England saw a record number of gonorrhea cases, with 85,223 reported. This represents a significant increase in infections compared to previous years.
Rise in Drug-Resistant Strains
Doctors have also noticed a troubling trend: an increase in gonorrhea cases that are resistant to treatment. The standard antibiotic used in England to treat gonorrhea is called ceftriaxone.
Key Data on Drug-Resistant Cases:
- 2015 to 2021: Nine cases of ceftriaxone-resistant gonorrhea were reported.
- June 2022 to May 2024: The number of resistant cases rose to 15. This includes five cases that were “extensively drug-resistant,” meaning they did not respond to both first and second-line treatments, as well as other antibiotics.
Most of these resistant cases have been found in heterosexual individuals, particularly those in their 20s, and many of them acquired the infection abroad.
Gonorrhea Could Become ‘Untreatable’, Authorities Warn in 2024!
Expert Warnings
Dr. Helen Fifer’s Statement:
Dr. Helen Fifer, a consultant microbiologist at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), warns that gonorrhea is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics. If this trend continues, gonorrhea could become untreatable in the future. Untreated gonorrhea can prompt serious health issues, including:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Infertility
Dr. Fifer advises using condoms as the best protection. If you have had unprotected sex with a new or casual partner, getting tested is crucial to detect the infection and prevent its spread.
Professor Matt Phillips’ Statement:
Professor Matt Phillips, president of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH), emphasizes the urgency of addressing antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea. He highlights that:
- The rise of drug-resistant STIs is a major public health concern.
- It can lead to physical and psychological harm and put extra strain on the NHS.
- BASHH and other organizations have called for a comprehensive sexual health strategy for England to address these issues effectively.
Moving Forward
The increase in gonorrhea cases and the emergence of drug-resistant strains underline the need for immediate action to improve sexual health strategies and treatments.
Table of Contents
References
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
- British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH)
