What is Super Gonorrhoea and should I be worried?

Sexually transmitted infections have always been a serious public health concern. However, diseases can change and mutate over time, requiring adequate responses from public health bodies and the public at large.

Over the last few years, many countries have reported rising cases of Gonorrhoea. One worrying concern is the appearance of different strains of Gonorrhoea, which have come to be known as “Super Gonorrhoea”.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss what Super Gonorrhoea is, how it’s different from normal Gonorrhoea, its symptoms, and why it’s dangerous. So, if you’re concerned about your sexual health, read on.

What is Super Gonorrhoea?

Super Gonorrhoea refers to strains of Gonorrhoea that have become resistant to the antibiotics usually used to treat it. As a result, more powerful medicines are needed to fight the infection. While normal strains of Gonorrhoea are more common, these “super” strains pose a significant risk to anyone who contracts them.

It’s important to note that Super Gonorrhoea is not a new STI. However, the rise of drug-resistant bacteria has made the infection difficult to treat.

What causes drug resistant Gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea can become resistant to medication through:

• Unrestricted access to antimicrobials
• Inappropriate selection and overuse of antibiotics
• Use of low quality antibiotics
• Genetic mutations in the bacteria

How do you get Super Gonorrhoea?

Just like regular Gonorrhoea, Super Gonorrhoea is transmitted through sexual contact with someone who has the infection. This includes vaginal sex, oral sex, and anal sex, and it can also be passed on by sharing sex toys.

Furthermore, if a pregnant woman has the disease, it can be transmitted to her baby during childbirth.

What are the symptoms of Super Gonorrhoea?

Since Super Gonorrhoea is a more drug-resistant version of Gonorrhoea, the symptoms are the same.

Symptoms of Gonorrhoea usually include:

• Unusual discharge from the genital area
  • In men: a white, yellow, or green discharge from the tip of the penis
  • In women: a yellowish discharge from the vagina/ unusual vaginal bleeding
• Painful or swollen testicles
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• A burning sensation while urinating
• Conjunctivitis (if the infection reaches the eye)
• Painful bowel movements (if the infection reaches the anus)
• Sore throat (if the infection reaches the throat)

How can Super Gonorrhoea affect my health?

A Super Gonorrhoea infection can be particularly concerning as most infected women remain symptomless until their fertility may be compromised. If left untreated, it may result in Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), leading to infertility and potentially life-threatening ectopic pregnancies.

Pregnant women infected with Gonorrhoea also face increased risks of miscarriage, infection of the amniotic sac and fluid, and preterm birth. The bacteria can be transmitted from mother to unborn child during pregnancy or labour, potentially resulting in eye infections and blindness if left untreated.

Untreated infections in men elevate the likelihood of developing prostate cancer.

Untreated Gonorrhoea can also heighten the likelihood of acquiring other sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

In rare cases, a Gonorrhoea infection can spread to other parts of the body, causing a disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI). This typically occurs when the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria enter the bloodstream.

This can happen if the initial Gonorrhoea infection isn’t treated promptly or effectively – the bacteria can then move through the bloodstream and infect other parts of the body, including the joints, skin, and heart valves.

Symptoms of DGI can include:

• fever or chills
• feeling ill or generally unwell (malaise)
• pain in the joints
• swelling of the joints
• pain in the tendons of the wrists or heels
• a skin rash with pink or red spots that become filled with pus

Final thoughts

Sexually transmitted infections can impact anyone, regardless of their age, gender, or sexual orientation. Super Gonorrhoea is a rare form of Gonorrhoea, but it can lead to serious health consequences and can be more difficult to treat than normal strains. Therefore, getting tested regularly is crucial.

If you think you may have been exposed to an STI, you can get tested with Better2Know. Secure your sexual health today to protect your health and the health of those you care about.