Sexually Transmitted Infections May Become Untreatable

The rise in a number of cases of super gonorrhea across the UK which could eventually become untreatable, has alarmed British physicians. A highly resistant strain of the sexually transmitted superbug runs the risk of not being treated if the only fully effective antibiotic would not work, medical experts warn.

The spike in gonorrhea cases resistant to three classes of antibiotics (penicillin, ciproflaxin and tetracyclines) was reported by the British Association for Sexual Health (BASH) and HIV from Public Health England’s Gonococcal Resistance to Antomicrobials Surveillance Programme (GRASP) in 2015. In Leeds, there is a high-level azithromycin resistance outbreak.

To stop the transmission of infections, Public Health England (PHE) is tracking down sexual partners of those already infected with gonorrhea.

“The rise in super-gonorrhea cases is a further sign of the very real threat of antibiotic resistance to our ability to treat the infections,” said Chancellor George Osborne.

“Antibiotic resistance would become an even greater threat to mankind than cancer.”

The GRASP findings have led the BASH to recommend doctors to follow up cases of high-level drug-resistant gonorrhea and trace the sexual partners.

Women suffering from gonorrhea have unusual vaginal discharge, pain when passing urine, pain or tenderness in the lower abdominal area and bleeding between periods.

For men, the symptoms are unusual discharge from the penis tip, pain when urinating, foreskin inflammation and tenderness of pain in the testicles.



Source-Medindia