Gonorrhea Growing Resistant to Antibiotics

The New York Daily News recently reported that  gonorrhea is becoming more resistant to many drugs used to treat it. Researchers in both the US and the UK have reported that they see an increasing number of gonorrhea cases that do not respond to certain antibiotics.

Gonorrhea is one of the most common STDs, especially for young adults between the ages of 15 and 24 years old. It is commonly treated with oral antibiotics. However, in 2009, researchers found that nearly a quarter of gonorrhea strains were resistant to a number of antibiotics used for treatment, including penicillin, tetracycline, and fluoroquinolones. What's even more concerning is that data from early 2010 is showing that many cases of gonorrhea are also growing resistant to cephalosporins, the only class of antibiotics left to treat the disease.

Scientific jargon aside, this could have major implications for our sexual health. Many people who are infected with gonorrhea show no symptoms and aren't even aware they have it, making it easily passed from one person to another. Couple this with drug-resistant infections and you have a big problem.

But this doesn't have to be as scary as it sounds! Prevention and awareness are key, and the best way to prevent contracting a sexually transmitted infection in the first place is by practicing safe sex. If you are sexually active, using condoms consistently and correctly is one of the best ways to protect you and your partner from STDs. It's also a good idea to get yourself tested on a regular basis to catch any health issues early on. Taking control of your sexual health is an excellent way to ensure that your sex life is safe, healthy, and happy.

April is Get Yourself Tested (GYT) month, so be sure to visit the GYT page to learn more about gonorrhea and other sexually transmitted infections!
Ready to get tested but not sure where to go? Click here to locate a health center near you!

Technorati tags: Planned Parenthood, GYT, STDs