Superbug Resistance in Gonorrhea: Crucial Facts to Bear in Mind
The Shocking Super-Gonorrhea Epidemic
Picture this: We're in a world where antibiotic-resistant superbugs roam. One of the most dangerous is gonorrhea, which has evolved so rapidly that only one type of drug remains effective, and strains already resistant to it have popped up in Australia and the United Kingdom. The race is on to develop new drugs, but super-gonorrhea isn't waiting!
No, this isn't a script from a horror movie - this is our reality. Gonorrhea was listed as one of the top three superbug threats by the Centers for Disease Control in 2013, and since then, things haven't improved. In fact, gonorrhea cases in the United States have been on the rise since 2009.
Chlamydia cases are also on the rise, but don't worry - it's not as bad because the bacteria aren't showing resistance to antibiotics, according to Lindley Barbee, M.D., M.P.H., a physician at the Madison Clinic at Harborview Medical Center and medical director of the Public Health Seattle & King County STD Clinic.
While it may seem gonorrhea is playing catch-up, it's actually gaining ground. With over 555,000 cases reported in 2017, gonorrhea is the second most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the country, after chlamydia. In King County in 2016, gonorrhea rates were nearly 160 cases per 100,000 people.
"We haven't had any treatment failures in King County; the threat is there but we haven't seen it," Barbee says. "We know it's coming and we're trying to prepare for it."
Gonorrhea's Resurgence
There's no clear-cut answer as to why gonorrhea is thriving. A combination of factors is likely at play. On the plus side, improved screening contributes to the detection of the STI, even when symptoms are absent. Unfortunately, decreased condom use, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM), and STD clinic closures, particularly in the South, make it harder for people to get screened and treated and increase the spread of the infection.
Other factors are more elusive, like the peculiarities of sexual behaviors and how long an infection persists or the potential for exposure.
The Menace of Gonorrhea
An individual's risk of contracting gonorrhea relies on several factors: their anatomy, sexual practices, and the use (or lack thereof) of protection. Gonorrhea commonly manifests with painful urination or discharge for those with a penis. Individuals with vaginas are less likely to experience symptoms, but if left untreated, the STI can cause significant health issues and fertility problems.
Women who want to conceive could face infertility and ectopic pregnancy, a rare but potentially fatal complication where the embryo develops outside of the uterus. Untreated gonorrhea in women can also lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pain, and can be transmitted to newborns, potentially causing blindness.
In rare cases, gonorrhea can enter the bloodstream and lead to skin lesions, joint infections, or even heart or brain infections. However, thanks to the power of antibiotics, such complications are quite uncommon.
Tackling Super-Gonorrhea
Researchers are looking into whether existing antibiotics, such as gentamicin, can effectively treat gonorrhea in MSM. Other studies are investigating whether older treatments might once again be viable.
"If we could determine if a particular strain is susceptible to older drugs, we could use that drug again," Barbee says. This approach would shorten development time significantly compared to creating a new drug.
Prevention is essential. Safeguard yourself by using condoms, female condoms, or dental dams during sexual encounters. Those with multiple sex partners or who engage in sex outside of a monogamous relationship should undergo regular testing, even without symptoms. The CDC provides recommendations for testing schedules.
Treatment for gonorrhea is generally straightforward, involving a single shot and an oral antibiotic. The infection typically clears up within a week or so, and retesting is advisable a few months after treatment to catch re-infections promptly.
Although STIs are common and should not provoke shame or embarrassment, stigma remains. "We need to work on changing that sentiment," Barbee says. "In order to have a safe and healthy sexual relationship, people need to feel comfortable getting tested and treated, and talking to their partners about their diagnoses so they can get tested and treated as well."
- In the realm of medical-conditions and health-and-wellness, concerns about chronic-diseases such as super-gonorrhea have been on the rise, particularly in the context of fitness-and-exercise and sexual-health.
- As gonorrhea continues to evolve and resist drugs, science has become increasingly crucial in developing new treatments for this growing threat.
- Meanwhile, the importance of routine screening, safe practices like consistent condom use, and open dialogue about sexual health have never been more important in the fight against super-gonorrhea.
