Health Care

Bacteria Sometimes Out-Smart Scientists

For every sexually transmitted bacterium there seems to be a cure. At least, that is what most sexually active individuals believe. However, back in 2011 a gonorrhea superbug was found in Japan. It was totally resistant to any antibiotic at the time. At that time scientists were worried that it could turn into global public health threat. They indicated that the superbug could take 10 to 20 years to spread globally.

According to a Reuter’s article published in June, 2011, Magnus Unemo of the Swedish Reference Laboratory for Pathogenic Neisseria said, “the fact that the strain had been found first in Japan also followed an alarming pattern. Japan has historically been the place for the first emergence and subsequent global spread of different types of resistance in gonorrhea.

Interestingly, officials of Trojan contraception made a statement below:

Officials said that gonorrhea drug resistance emerged in Hong Kong, China, Australia and other parts of Asia as well. It has not taken 10 years to reach the shores of the UK. There are now reported cases of a new drug-resistant strain of the STI in Leeds and several others area. While the cases remain relatively low – under 20 – there may be hundreds, if not thousands, of sexually active people already infected who do not know it. Generally there are no symptoms and is usually discovered during routine medical exams for other issues.

The BBC says that Peter Greenhouse, a consultant in sexual health based in Bristol, advises that those who have been diagnosed should be diligent in contacting all the individuals with whom they have been intimate so those people can get treated.

If the current treatments still are not getting rid of this gonorrhea more education needs to be targeted toward the younger generation who are not getting the message about using a condom each and every time they have sex. If couples believe that they will be safe with only oral sex, they are wrong. Gonorrhea can and is spread via vaginal, anal and oral sex.

Even as early as 2013, officials in the UK were concerned about this superbug. Relayed by the BBC, Dr.Gwenda Hughes, head of STI surveillance at the HPA, said: “We are seriously concerned about continuing high levels of gonorrhea transmission and repeat infection, suggesting we need to do more to reduce unsafe sexual behaviour.”

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