Gonorrhea is defined as a treatable venereal disease that involves an inflammatory discharge on the genital area of a woman. However, a recent study shows that a new strain of this virus may no longer be treatable.
A few days ago, Professor Dame Sally Davies has written to all general practitioners and pharmacists all over the country to prescribe the correct drugs to treat a strain of 'super gonorrhea,' which caused an outbreak in Leeds last September. Her movements followed after tons of concerns were made whether or not the victims of this disease are being given the right kind of treatment.
This new strain referred to as 'super gonorrhea' is immune to the antibiotics and treatments usually given to patients with this particular sexually transmitted disease. The outbreak, which started in Leeds back in September, had spread to other parts of England such as Oldham, Macclesfield and Scunthorpe. Gonorrhea-infected victims reported of having heterosexual intercourse with other people from other areas of the country.
This year alone, over 16 cases were reported in Northern England. Twelve of these cases originated from Leeds were the mutated strand of gonorrhea had started. This newest wave of virus is becoming more and more resistant of usual treatments like azithromycin, which is usually partnered with a drug called 'ceftriaxone.' That's why Professor Davies reminded the public to be extra careful as the disease is becoming more and more untreatable due to the eruption of antimicrobial resistance.
Dr. Gwen Hughes, lead author of the study, stated that gonorrhea eventually being able to resist antibiotics is a fact that has been known for a very long time. However, she explained that the problem in here is mainly other doctors prescribing the wrong drugs. Because of this, it increases the chances of the virus's immunity and can stay in the victim's body.
