Gonorrhoea could become untreatable as antibiotic resistance rises
Record gonorrhoea cases in England spark antibiotic resistance fears
A health expert has issued a warning that gonorrhoea could become “untreatable”. More people contracting this sexually transmitted infection are finding it resistant to antibiotics. The number of infections in England reached a record high last year, with 85,223 cases recorded, the highest since records began in 1918.
Symptoms of gonorrhoea include a thick green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis, according to the NHS website. If not treated, it can lead to infertility. Although gonorrhoea is generally easy to treat, some strains are increasingly resistant to drugs, as shown by data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The primary treatment in England is the antibiotic ceftriaxone. From 2015 to 2021, only nine cases of ceftriaxone-resistant gonorrhoea were reported. However, this number rose to 15 between June 2022 and May 2024. Five of these were classified as “extensively drug-resistant”, meaning they did not respond to first and second-line treatment options and other antibiotics. All drug-resistant cases were among heterosexual individuals in their 20s, mainly acquired abroad.
Dr Helen Fifer, consultant microbiologist at the UKHSA, stated that gonorrhoea is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics, which could make it untreatable in the future. She highlighted that the disease untreated can cause serious health issues such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. Dr Fifer emphasised that condoms are the “best defence” and advised anyone who did not use one with a new or casual partner to get tested.
Professor Matt Phillips, president of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH), expressed concern about the rise in antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea infections in England, calling it a worrying trend that requires immediate action. He noted that antibiotic resistance in STIs poses a major public health threat, causing physical and psychological harms and increasing demands on the NHS. BASHH, along with other sector partners, has repeatedly called for a sexual health strategy for England to address these growing and changing needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why is gonorrhoea becoming untreatable?
Gonorrhoea is increasingly resistant to antibiotics, making some strains hard to treat.
What are the symptoms of gonorrhoea?
Symptoms include a thick green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis.
How many gonorrhoea cases were reported in England last year?
There were 85,223 cases diagnosed in England last year.
What can untreated gonorrhoea cause?
Untreated gonorrhoea can lead to infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease.
What is the best way to prevent gonorrhoea?
Using condoms is the best defence against gonorrhoea.
