Public concerns are growing over a potent new form of gonorrhoea after a patient was discovered to have one of the highest levels of drug resistance to the disease.

The health alert comes amidst unease in recent years regarding a highly resistant gonorrhoea strain, also known as H041, which was initially discovered in 2009 after a sex worker contracted the disease in Japan. Subsequent reports in 2011 and earlier this year claimed the antibiotic-resilient strain of gonorrhoea was also reported in Hawaii, California, and Norway.

Gonorrhoea is soon threatening to become resistant to the majority of antibiotic treatments. UK campaigns aimed at raising awareness of antibiotic-resistant drugs have only shown some success in slowing down the infection, an area where more research will be needed in the near future.

According to the latest research carried out by The Society for General Microbiology, there were over 25,000 gonorrhoea cases in 2012 across the UK alone, making it the second highest bacterial STI after chlamydia. The control of gonorrhoea is heavily reliant on effective antibiotic treatment because the bacterium causing the disease, neisseria gonorrhoeae, has become gradually resistant to all antibiotics used to treat it over the last 50 to 60 years.

Looking at the sexual health statistics in England, the number of those affected by gonorrhoea is highest in London. The worst affected area within London being Lambeth with over 500 to 100,000 diagnosis incidences reported. Other highly affected locations include Newcastle, Manchester and Birmingham with an average of over 100 per 100,000 affected. Unfortunately Brighton also sits among the highest affected regions with an incidence rate of over 162 per 100,000.

Checking with an online health clinic, we asked them a few questions to understand gonorrhoea a little better.

What is Gonorrhoea?
Gonorrhoea, often referred to as ‘the clap’, is a bacterial infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. In men, the bacterium usually grows and spreads in their urethra, and in women it tends to grow and spread through the cervix. It is important to know that gonorrhoea is sometimes asymptomatic; therefore, it is advised for you to get tested regularly to ensure there are no underlying infections.

How can it be passed on?
Since gonorrhoea is caused by bacteria which are predominantly found in the semen and vaginal fluids of those who are infected, it can be easily passed on from person to person during unprotected oral, anal and regular sex. Therefore, it can also affect the rectum and throat.

What are the symptoms?
Common symptoms include a thick yellow or green discharge from the penis or vagina and pain while urinating. It is also known to cause spotted bleeding in the vagina too.

However, for a lot of people, symptoms are often silent but the long-term effects can lead to pelvic disease for women and infertility in both genders.

Can today’s medication treat it?
While there is effective medication currently available to treat the bacteria, the outbreak of new treatment resistant strains may limit the effectiveness of these. Stronger gonorrhoea multipacks containing Azithromycin or Cefixime are usually provided to give you a greater chance of successfully treating the condition.

How do I stay safe?

To prevent the current STI transmission rates from increasing in Brighton, it is important that people:

  • Always wear a condom while having sex with new untested partners
  • If involved in multiple sexual relationships, ensure that your partners are regular tested
  • Get regularly tested, and use clinically proven treatment if you have contracted an STI