STDs are a bit scary, especially when you find out they’re on the rise or getting worse. Just recently, a report revealed that syphilis is spreading throughout California and the US. Now, the CDC calls gonorrhea an “urgent public health threat.” And it doesn’t help that a strain called super gonorrhea is popping up, too.
Super gonorrhea versus regular gonorrhea
So, what exactly is super gonorrhea? Just like other superbugs, super gonorrhea is antibiotic resistant. This means the bacteria can outsmart the usual and effective antibiotic treatment, making it more difficult to contain.
Therefore, while you never want to contract any STD, it would be “better” to get regular gonorrhea since it can still be cured with antibiotic treatment, which includes ceftriaxone and azithromycin.
On the other hand, individuals who contract super gonorrhea can still carry the STD even after antibiotic treatment. And in order to cure super gonorrhea, doctors need to obtain a sample of the individual’s bacteria and test different medicines to understand which can cure the disease.
Whether it’s regular gonorrhea or super gonorrhea, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is called it an “urgent public health threat,” and reports that there may be over 800,000 cases every year in the US.
Symptoms of gonorrhea
- Pain / burning during urination
- Water, creamy or slightly green discharge from vagina
- Frequent urination
- Spotting and heavy periods
- Sore throat
- Painful intercourse
- Sharp pain in lower abdomen
- Fever
If you detect any of these symptoms after engaging in protected or unprotected sex, seek medical attention. And to prevent catching gonorrhea, practice safe sex and have a regular STD screening, too.
