Health Alert: 'Super Gonorrhea' Infections Surge, Resistant to Antibiotics

Gonorrhea cases have soared to record levels in England, sparking concerns over an emerging 'super strain' that resists standard treatments. With over 85,000 diagnoses reported last year—the highest since records began in 1918—the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is urging those engaging in condomless sex with new or casual partners to get tested immediately.

While gonorrhea is usually treatable, certain strains are becoming resistant to commonly used antibiotics, leading to fears of untreatable infections. Ceftriaxone, the primary antibiotic for gonorrhea in England, faces growing resistance, particularly in infections acquired abroad, heightening the risk of a wider spread.

From June 2022 to May 2024, 15 cases of ceftriaxone-resistant gonorrhea were detected in England, five of which were 'extensively drug-resistant,' complicating treatment options. The UKHSA warns that untreated gonorrhea can result in serious health issues like pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.

Adding to the concern, syphilis cases are also on the rise, with 9,513 diagnoses in 2023, a 9.4% increase from 2022. Syphilis, if left untreated, can cause severe and potentially life-threatening damage to the brain, heart, or nerves.

The UKHSA stresses the importance of regular STI testing, especially for those engaging in condomless sex with new or casual partners. Testing is available for free at local sexual health clinics, university medical centers, or via discreet self-sampling kits.

Professor Matt Phillips, President of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive sexual health strategy in England to address the rising threat of antibiotic-resistant STIs and safeguard public health.