The World Health Organization is warning people about a new strand of gonorrhea that is resistant to antibiotics.
The disease commonly known as “The Clap” had been curable with antibiotics in the past, but the WHO stated that there are now cases of the sexually transmitted disease being resistant to drugs.
“The available data only shows the tip of the iceberg,” Dr. Manjula Lusti-Narasimhan from the Department of Reproductive Health and Research at WHO stated in the alert. “Without adequate surveillance we won’t know the extent of resistance to gonorrhea and without research into new antimicrobial agents, there could soon be no effective treatment for patients.”
In order to prevent that, WHO is urging governments, doctors and researchers to take a serious look at the strand, where it’s spreading, and for a cure.
Cases of the incurable gonorrhea have been reported in several countries, including Australia, France, Japan, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom. It was first noted in Japan, where easily accessible over-the-counter may have led to the bacteria’s resistance.
According to WHO, an estimated 106 million people are infected with gonorrhea annually. It is the second most common STD after chlamydia.
Those infected with gonorrhea often have no symptoms at all, which causes it to spread quickly. If symptoms do occur, they can include a burning sensation when urinating in men or penile discharge. Initial symptoms in women can also include painful urination, increased vaginal discharge or vaginal bleeding between periods. They are often mild and can be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection.
If untreated gonorrhea can lead to infertility, pregnancy compilations and in extreme causes, maternal death. Babies born to mothers with gonorrhea have a 50 percent chance of becoming blind from eye infections. It also increases the chances of infection of other diseases like HIV.
With Associated PressĀ