England Experiences Highest Recorded Number of Gonorrhea Cases Since 1918

Official figures revealed today that more people in England and Wales are getting infected with gonorrhea. Since records began in 1918, there are now 70,936 cases sexually transmitted infections recorded. 

According to Public Health England (PHE), this marks a 26 percent increase since the year 2018 and a 71 percent jump from records, as seen in 2015.

Health officials attributed this spike to gay and bisexual men, although there is also a noticeable increase among heterosexual women and males.

Gonorrhea cases rose from 56,259 to 70,936, a 26 percent increase among which almost half of the cases were gay and bisexual men. 

As a response to prevent these figures from continuously rising, PHE has urged people to use condoms correctly and to make them more available in hospitals and clinics as to be easily accessible to the public.

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Annual figures released by PHE showed there were 468,342 STI diagnosed last year. This is an increase of five percent since the year before. The increase in numbers also signifies that there is a dramatic rise in the availability of testing for bacterial infections. 

Gonorrhea is a particular cause of concern among health experts as the bacteria seem to be evolving and are becoming more resistant to antibiotics.  

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What is Gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a type of sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium. This bacteria is usually found in genital fluid and transmitted through unprotected oral, anal or vaginal sex. This disease can also be transmitted perinatally from mother to child during birth.

It also infects the mucus membranes of the reproductive tract, which includes the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes in women as well as the urethra in both women and men. 

Common signs and symptoms may include painful urination, increased vaginal or penile discharge, and abdominal or pelvic pain.

Who is at risk for contracting gonorrhea?

Any sexually active person can get infected. Based on Public Health England, the highest reported rates of infection are those aged ranging from 15 and 24, African Americans, and gay and bisexual men. 

Experts also blamed budget cuts in sexual health clinics as a cause for the rise in infections.

SInce clinics have a restrictive budget, they need to limit their hours of operation and, therefore, limit the number of patients they see.

People are at risk of infecting others if they cannot be tested or treated when they need it since they have to reschedule another appointment with a doctor.

The soar in online dating apps can also be blamed for the rise in these infections.

Apps such as Tinder, Grindr, and Bumble make it easier for people to potentially meet new sexual partners and then move onto someone else.

This could increase the risk of catching STIs as there is a quick turnover among partners and fewer chances of contacting past partners if diagnosed.

How can gonorrhea or other sexually transmitted diseases be prevented?

Proper and consistent usage of condoms can reduce the risk of transmission. Proper condom use is proven to be 98% effective.

If someone has been tested and treated for gonorrhea, he/she should talk to all sex partners within 60 days before the onset of symptoms or diagnosis.

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