Gonorrhea: an ever-growing problem

Gonorrhea is becoming increasingly common. The reasons for this increase? Young people are using condoms less and less often. This STI (sexually transmitted infection) is also becoming increasingly difficult to treat. The bacteria that cause gonorrhea are becoming increasingly resistant to the drugs used to treat the infection.

What exactly is gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea, also known as "the clap," is spread by a bacterium called gonorrhoeae. These bacteria settle in the mucous membranes of the vagina, penis, and anus. However, gonorrhea can also end up in the throat and eyes. Gonorrhea mainly occurs in men who have sex with men, but women can also get gonorrhea.

WHO fears gonorrhea is becoming untreatable

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently warned that more and more people are contracting gonorrhea and that the bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant. The WHO fears that the STI will soon become "untreatable." In 2023, the number of gonorrhea cases grew by 31 percent, following a 33 percent increase the previous year, with 13,853 cases reported in 2023.

According to the RIVM, the increase is high among women and heterosexual men. Gonorrhea cases among women rose from 1,468 to 2,598. Among heterosexual men, the increase was 51 percent, from 666 cases to 1,007.

Sometimes gonorrhea cannot even be treated.

The gonorrhoeae bacterium also appears to develop resistance to available antibiotics quickly. According to the WHO, there have been cases in Japan, France, and Spain where the infection could no longer be treated at all. The resistant bacterium has now been detected in 77 countries.

Prevention is better than cure

Gonorrhea infection is easy to prevent: use a condom even when having oral sex. Are you unsure whether you have gonorrhea, or have you had unsafe sex and are you at risk of contracting an STI? At OneDayClinic, you can quickly get an STI test. STI tests are always anonymous, reasonably priced, and you will receive the results within 1-3 business days or after 90 minutes with a rapid test. Call 085 070 3483for more information or make an appointment online at one of our clinics.

Sources:

National Institute for Public Health and the Environment

STIs AIDS Netherlands