Shock rise in Britain of super-gonorrhoea sparks health warnings over STI’s resistance to antibiotics
Health chiefs have warned the disease has become powerless to three of the key drugs used to treat the infection as cases continue to grow
SUPER-gonorrhoea has seen a shocking rise in Britain as the STI puts up a fight against antibiotics.
Health chiefs have warned treatment for the disease has become less effective amid cases soaring.
A report by Public Health England (PHE) has revealed resistance to three of the key drugs used to treat the infection - ciprofloxacin, cefixime and azithromycin - has grown.
It comes after officials warned Britain had contracted the “world’s worst ever” case of super-gonorrhoea after a man romped with a woman in South East Asia.
He told medics he had a regular partner in the UK, but did have "sexual contact" with a woman while he was away.
The man has since been cured after three days of intravenous treatment with antibiotic ertapenem.
Figures from 2017 show ciprofloxacin is now powerless in 36.4 per cent of cases of gonorrhoea - a rise from 33.7 per cent in 2016.
While azithromycin was resistant in 9.2 per cent of cases compared to 4.7 per cent the year before.
About 78 million people are infected with gonorrhoea each year, according to WHO.
It is the second most common form of STI in England.
It affects the genitals, rectum and throat, producing a thick green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis.
One in ten men and almost half of infected women will not experience any symptoms.
How to tell if you have gonorrhoea...
GONORRHOEA is a sexually transmitted infection that in many cases shows very few signs.
Symptoms usually develop within two weeks of a person becoming infected, but around one in 10 men and half of women who are infected will not experience any obvious signs of the infection.
As a result, it is common for gonorrhoea to go untreated for some time.
In women, the symptoms include:
- an unusual vaginal discharge, which may be thin or watery and green or yellow in colour
- pain or a burning sensation when passing urine
- pain or tenderness in the lower abdomen
- bleeding between periods, heavier periods and bleeding after sex
In men, the signs include:
- an unusual discharge from the tip of the penis, which may be white, yellow or green
- pain or a burning sensation when peeing
- inflammation of the foreskin
- pain or tenderness in the testicles
It can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, infertility and an increased risk of HIV.
Millions of new infections have been recorded over the last four years alone in the US, health chiefs have said.
It comes after it emerged cases of syphilis reported in England have reached the highest level since 1949 — up almost 150 per cent in 10 years.
Dr Helen Fifer, PHE consultant microbiologist, said: “Gonorrhoea can be serious if untreated, with possible long term health problems including infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease.