New cases of an antibiotic-resistant strain of gonorrhoea have been detected in England, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned.
Three new cases of antibiotic-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae - the bacteria which causes gonorrhoea - have been confirmed; a couple from the Midlands in their 20s and a woman from London, also in her 20s, were diagnosed with the strain.
It poses a particular threat because it is resistant to ceftriaxone, which is the main antibiotic used to treat gonorrhoea in the UK.
The results of follow-up tests will indicate whether treatment of these new cases has been successful.
The new cases come after a man in his early 20s in London became infected in November.
Dr Katy Sinka, STI Section Head at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said: "After a couple of years without any cases of this hard to treat form of gonorrhoea, we have now seen four cases in the last two months.
"It's too soon to say whether this will be the start of a longer-term trend, but we do know that STIs are on the rise in general.
"Getting an STI isn't as simple as taking some medicine and moving on with your life – if not properly treated, they can have long term impacts on your and your partner's health.
"Adding antibiotic resistance into the mix makes the impact on your life even greater."
She continued: "There are simple steps you can take to reduce your risk of gonorrhoea and other STIs.
"Use condoms consistently and correctly with all new or casual partners, test regularly for STIs and if you have any symptoms such as unusual discharge, don't have sex until you are tested."
UKHSA advises that typical symptoms of gonorrhoea include a thick green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis, pain when urinating, pain and discomfort in the rectum and - in women and other people with a uterus or ovaries - lower abdominal pain and bleeding between periods.
However, people infected with gonorrhoea will often have no symptoms, especially for infections in the throat, vagina or rectum.
Treating the infection promptly is important, as it can lead to long-term health problems, such as pain in the pelvis, prostate and testicles.
It can also lead to reduced fertility in men and infertility in women.
You can get tested for free, either through online self-sampling services or by contacting local sexual health services.
You can read more about gonorrhoea on the NHS website.
.png)
