Safe sex message more vital than ever as ‘SUPER’ gonorrhoea spreads

Practising safe sex is a vital public health message.

Using a condom protects against nasty infections, but also against life-threatening disease.

Yet, in the face of growing resistance to antibiotics, the message to “wrap it up” has never been more urgent.

As various strains of bacteria mutate to evade antibiotics, infections, including sexually transmitted ones that were previously easily treated, may soon become untreatable.

And while it sounds like a far-distant threat, health officials are adamant – the threat is real and it is growing.

Earlier this month Public Health England warned a strain of gonorrhoea, dubbed “super” gonorrhoea, is continuing to spread in the UK.

England’s chief medical officer, Dame Sally Davies first warned the disease could become untreatable in December last year.

“Super” gonorrhoea reared its head in Leeds in April, and health officials have also recorded cases in the West Midlands, London and other parts of southern England.

A Public Health England report states: “The outbreak of HL-AziR gonorrhoea in England persists.

“There have been 17 cases of HL-AziR gonorrhoea reported to date in 2016 compared to 15 cases for the same time period in 2015.

“Between November 2014 and August 2016 there have been a total of 48 confirmed and two probable cases.

“The potential for rapid spread of HL-Azir N. gonorrhoea among high risk sexual networks including men who have sex with men is of particular concern.”

In a separate statement, Dr Gwenda Hughes at the PHE, said: “Diagnoses of gonorrhoea in England have risen sharply in recent years and we are concerned about the emergence of strains that are resistant to the antibiotic treatment options currently available.”

And the charity, the Family Planning Association added their concern.

Diagnoses of gonorrhoea in England have risen sharply in recent years and we are concerned about the emergence of strains that are resistant to the antibiotic treatment options currently available

Public Health England

CEO Natika Halil told The Sun Online: “We are increasingly worried about gonorrhoea becoming resistant to treatment.

“Not everyone with gonorrhoea has obvious signs and symptoms so it is important to get tested if you might have been exposed to the infection, so that you can be treated as soon as possible and don’t pass it to others.”

It comes as health officials across the pond in the US this week warned gonorrhoea infections are becoming increasingly resistant to the last effective treatment.
They identified a cluster of cases in Hawaii that are strains that have “never really been seen before”, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, according to the .

While the patients have been treated with a combination of drugs available, experts raised concerns over the fact the strain was able to spread.

United Nations member countries pledged for the first time this week to take steps to tackle the threat posed by drug-resistant superbugs.

The pledge was made during the annual UN General Assembly in New York.

There, director general of the World Health Organisation, Dr Margaret Chan said: “Antimicrobial resistance poses a fundamental threat to human health, development and security.”

Drug-resistant bugs have flourished because of the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, and other drugs in humans, animals and crops, as well as from the spread of residues from these medicines in the soil, crops and water.

Common infections such as pneumonia, gonorrhoea and post-operative infections as well as HIV, TB and malaria, are becoming increasingly hard to treat because of antimicrobial resistance.

Dr Jeremy Farrar, director of the medical charity the Wellcome Trust, said: “The rise in drug-resistant infections is a disaster at all levels – from the loss of 700,000 lives each year, to the crushing burden it places on health systems around the world.”

It started among heterosexual couples but has now started spreading among gay couples too.

Dr Hughes of the PHE said the key message is prevention is better than a cure.

She said PHE actively monitors the spread of antibiotic resistance and potential gonorrhoea treatment failures.

“However, our advice remains the same, it is far better to avoid getting or passing on gonorrhoea in the first place and everyone can significantly reduce their risk by using condoms with all new and casual partners.”

Ms Halil from the Family Planning Association added: “Gonorrhoea can be passed on through unprotected vaginal, anal and oral sex and through sharing sex toys.

“Using a condom (male or female) when you have sex will help protect you from getting or passing on the infection.

“Dental dams (small plastic squares) can also be used during oral sex to keep a barrier between the mouth and vagina or anus.

“It’s best to avoid sharing sex toys but if you do, then wash them thoroughly or cover them with a new condom before anyone else uses them.”

And she urged people who are sexually active to have regular tests for sexually transmitted infections, as part of their normal daily lifestyle.

“If you think you have signs or symptoms of gonorrhoea then it’s best to go to a clinic, GP or other service as soon as possible to get tested and begin treatment if needed.”