Health officials warn 'super-gonorrhoea' is on the rise in the UK

As if things weren't bad enough, officials at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have said that Brits should be aware that the disease known as 'super-gonorrhoea' is on the rise.

While you might expect there's nothing 'super' about gonorrhoea, the sexually transmitted disease with perhaps the least appealing name, this refers to the infection's ability to resist usual treatments.

Let's start with the good news, shall we?

In an announcement today (27 March), the UKHSA said infection numbers of 'super-gonorrhoea' remain low, with just 17 cases reported since the beginning of January 2024, but that's an increase on previous rates as between January 2022 and December 2023 there were 16 cases flagged up.

So while the rate of 'super-gonorrhoea' is on the rise, it is still an incredibly rare disease.

For the love of God, use a condom (Getty Stock Image)

Now for the unavoidable bad news, the cases of this STD are known as Ceftriaxone-resistant gonorrhoea, Ceftriaxone being the main antibiotic used to treat gonorrhoea.

Even worse, there are cases of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) gonorrhoea which not only resist Ceftriaxone but also stand up to second line treatments which are normally reserved for when the best treatment option ends up not working.

The UKHSA warned that between January 2024 and now there have been nine XDR cases, an uptick from the five cases reported between January 2022 and December 2023.

While these are very low numbers overall, health experts warned that the STD appeared to be growing more resistant to our methods of treatment which posed a problem for the future of treating cases of gonorrhoea.

Dr Katy Sinka, Consultant Epidemiologist and Head of the STI section at UKHSA, said: "Gonorrhoea is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics, which could make it untreatable in future. If left untreated, it can cause serious problems like pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.

"The best way to stop STIs is by using a condom. If you’ve had condomless sex with a new or casual partner, get tested, whatever your age, gender or sexual orientation.

"This includes when you are having sex abroad. Early detection not only protects your health but prevents transmission to others. Many STIs show no symptoms, which is why regular testing is so important. Testing is quick, free and confidential."

Ceftriaxone is the main antibiotic used to treat gonorrhoea, but some people are having cases where that's not working (Getty Stock Image)

Fortunately, rates of gonorrhoea in England may not be rising, as there were around 54,965 cases diagnosed in the first nine months of 2024 compared to more than 85,000 in all 12 months of 2023.

That still sounds like a lot, though.

What are the symptoms of gonorrhoea?

Symptoms of gonorrhoea include a burning sensation when you pee and an unpleasant discharge coming from your genitals (the NHS says this will be 'yellowish or greenish' for women).

Men may feel sore testicles, while women may feel pain in their abdomen and rarely bleeding between their periods.

It can also affect other parts of the body where sexual fluids may contact, so other symptoms may include a pain in the anus, a sore throat and a painful redness of the eye.

If you think you have it then you ought to go and see a doctor. It's treated with a series of antibiotics administered by tablets or injections.

Here's hoping the rise of 'super-gonorrhoea' doesn't result in those treatments becoming less effective.

Use a condom, folks.