Should We Still Be Concerned About Gonorrhea?

Introduction

According to the World Health Organization, gonorrhea is one of the most sexually transmitted diseases, with an estimated 87 million new cases worldwide in 2016.

While gonorrhea may not grab headlines in the same way that other infections, such as HIV/AIDS or the Zika virus, do, it has far-reaching consequences, including infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and an increased risk of contracting HIV.

Is Gonorrhea Growing Worldwide?

Unfortunately, current data indicates that gonorrhea is growing worldwide. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the number of cases of gonorrhea that are resistant to antibiotics, known as antimicrobial resistance (AMR), is on the rise globally.

This trend is particularly concerning because gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that can be treated with antibiotics.

However, if those antibiotics become less effective, it could lead to potentially untreatable infections, which can have serious health consequences.

How About The United States?

In America, gonorrhea continues to be a significant public health challenge, despite recent declines in reported cases. While there was a 2.7% decrease in reported cases of gonorrhea from 2019 to 2020, the CDC still said that about 390,000 cases of gonorrhea were diagnosed in 2020 – this is still a very high number and a continued cause for concern!

Gonorrhea is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the United States, particularly among young people aged 15-24 years. The prevalence of gonorrhea in the US can be attributed to various factors, including inadequate sex education, insufficient access to healthcare services, and lack of awareness about testing and treatment options.

Even though gonorrhea rates have been decreasing in America, public health experts warn that if we don’t continue to prioritize efforts to curb STI rates, there could be a resurgence of gonorrhea and other STIs.

One of the primary challenges in the fight against gonorrhea is that the infection can be asymptomatic, meaning that many infected people may not realize they have it. This asymptomatic nature of the infection allows it to spread quickly from person to person, as infected individuals may continue their sexual activities while unknowingly passing the infection along.

What Are Public Health Officials Doing to Address the Growing Threat of Gonorrhea?

To address the growing threat of gonorrhea, public health officials are implementing several strategies, including:

• Increasing public awareness about the importance of safe sex practices
• Improving access to testing and treatment services
• Monitoring AMR

Another crucial aspect of monitoring gonorrhea infection rates is by collecting accurate data. Getting updated data is vital so that public health experts can prioritize strategies and resources to reduce the spread of STIs.

Regarding testing and treatment, the CDC recommends routine screening for gonorrhea in sexually active individuals, especially those who engage in high-risk behaviors or have multiple partners.

Treatment options may include antibiotics like azithromycin or doxycycline. However, as mentioned earlier, AMR may be reducing the ability of standard treatment regimens to be effective.

For this reason and for those above, it’s essential to continue to advance research in new forms of treatments and disseminate information about any updates in treatments.

How Technology is also Playing a Crucial Role in the Fight

Leveraging the power of technology could also help in the fight against gonorrhea. For example, telemedicine and other forms of virtual healthcare delivery could help improve screening and treatment accessibility for hard-to-reach populations.

Also, several apps and services can help you find nearby clinics and access educational resources to learn more about STIs and safe sex practices.

Conclusion

While recent data suggest that gonorrhea rates might be declining in America, the infection remains a significant public health concern worldwide.

We should continue to invest in efforts to fight against it. Combating this disease is crucial for protecting sexual health and reducing the risk of infertility and other complications.

Through public education, improved access to testing and treatment, data management, and technological innovations, we can work towards reducing the incidence of gonorrhea worldwide.

About Theresa Duncan

Originally from Detroit, MI, Theresa has been offering health and fitness advice for the last 30 years while working as an engineer. She decided to turn her passion into a profession, and finds nothing more satisfying than helping others reach their health and fitness goals.