All articles tagged with #gonorrhoea
Cases of gonorrhoea, a Biblical STI, have doubled in England over the past decade, with high rates among young people and in London, prompting warnings for students to use protection and get tested, despite a recent decline in cases.
AI has designed two new potential antibiotics targeting drug-resistant gonorrhoea and MRSA, showing promise in laboratory and animal tests, but they still require years of refinement and clinical trials before potential use in humans. The research highlights AI's role in revolutionizing antibiotic discovery amidst rising antibiotic resistance, though challenges remain in drug manufacturing and economic viability.
The UK has begun a world-first rollout of a gonorrhoea vaccine in sexual health clinics, primarily targeting high-risk groups like gay and bisexual men, aiming to prevent up to 100,000 cases and reduce antibiotic resistance. The vaccine, originally developed for meningitis B, shows 30-40% effectiveness and is part of efforts to combat record-high infection rates, with public health officials emphasizing the importance of vaccination alongside other safe sex practices.
European countries have seen a significant surge in sexually transmitted infections, with gonorrhoea cases rising by 48%, syphilis by 34%, and chlamydia by 16% in 2022 compared to the previous year. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has warned of the urgent need to raise awareness and promote sexual health, emphasizing the importance of testing, treatment, and prevention efforts to address the rise in infections. The increase in STIs is attributed to changes in sexual behavior, reduced testing and treatments during the pandemic, and potential changes in the number of sexual partners or types of sex post-pandemic. Experts are urging governments to focus on promoting protection, practising safer sex, and fostering open dialogues about STIs to reduce transmission rates.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reported a surge in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) across Europe in 2022, with cases of gonorrhoea, syphilis, and chlamydia increasing by significant percentages. The rise in infections is attributed to factors such as better surveillance, increased home-testing, and riskier sexual behavior, particularly among young heterosexual people. The ECDC emphasized the need for immediate attention, action, testing, treatment, and prevention efforts to address the escalating STI rates.
Sexual health services in England are struggling to cope with soaring rates of gonorrhoea and syphilis infections, with more than two-thirds of council areas experiencing climbing infection rates since 2017. The Local Government Association is calling on the government to provide extra funding and publish a long-term plan to address the rising demand. Experts believe the increase in infections may be linked to a rebound effect after Covid-19 restrictions, but efforts to test more people and improve access to services may have also led to more cases being identified. Without sufficient investment, the quality and accessibility of sexual health services are under threat, potentially compromising the ability to safeguard the sexual health of the nation.
A new antibiotic called zoliflodacin has shown promising results in a large-scale clinical trial for treating gonorrhoea, including drug-resistant strains. Developed by AstraZeneca and Entasis Therapeutics, the drug targets an essential bacterial enzyme and was found to be just as effective as the standard treatment in curing infections. With the rise of drug-resistant 'super-gonorrhoea', the results are considered groundbreaking and offer hope in combating the global spread of the disease. However, concerns remain about the potential development of resistance to zoliflodacin and the responsible use of the drug.
England is experiencing record high levels of gonorrhoea and syphilis sexually transmitted infections, with 82,592 cases of gonorrhoea and 8,692 cases of syphilis reported in 2022. The UK Health Security Agency urges people to practice safe sex and get tested if they may be at risk. The age group most likely to be diagnosed with an STI is people who are 15-24. Condoms are "the best line of defence" against STIs. Cuts to sexual health services are making the situation worse, says Richard Angell, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust.
Gonorrhoea can be spread through kissing, according to a study by researchers at the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, who are calling for guidance to be updated. The study analysed the sexual history and STI records of more than 2,000 gay and bisexual men and found that oropharyngeal gonorrhoea was associated with exposure to a partner's mouth through kissing. The bacteria can infect the cervix, urethra, rectum, throat or eyes and is usually easily treated with a single antibiotic injection, but experts fear the bacteria is becoming resistant to drugs.
Health officials in England are warning sexually active people to get tested for gonorrhoea as cases have surged by 21% since the easing of Covid restrictions. Gonorrhoea can be spread through unprotected vaginal, oral, and anal sex and can lead to infertility and other complications if left untreated. Symptoms include a thick green or yellow discharge from sexual organs, pain when urinating, and bleeding between periods. Experts advise practising safe sex, getting tested regularly, and using condoms to prevent the spread of STIs. Testing is simple, free, and discreet, and can be done at sexual health clinics, GP surgeries, or private clinics.