Gonorrhea May Soon Become Untreatable

Gonorrhea may become untreatable because of an antibiotic-resistant strain that surfaced in England.


England's Chief Medical Officer, Dame Sally Davies wrote to all physicians and pharmacies to ensure that they prescribe the appropriate drug to patients with
sexually transmitted infections (STIs), specifically gonorrhea.

"Gonorrhea is at risk of becoming an untreatable disease due to the continuing emergence of antimicrobial resistance," she wrote .

Symptoms of gonorrhea

• Symptoms in women appear two to ten days after exposure, and includes a greenish yellow or whitish discharge from the vagina, lower abdominal or pelvic pain, burning when urinating, conjunctivitis, spotting after intercourse or between periods, burning in the throat and swollen glands.

• Symptoms in men appear one to fourteen days after infection and can include a greenish yellow or whitish discharge from the penis, burning when urinating and burning in the throat, swollen testicles and swollen glands.

Individuals can significantly reduce their risk of any STI by using condoms with all new and casual partners and getting tested

regularly.