The World Health Organization recently concluded an analysis of data from 77 countries and discovered several cases in which gonorrhea was unaffected by multiple or all of the currently-available drugs, therapy and treatment administered. With this virulent strain of antibiotic gonorrhea  resistance on the rise, what can be done to halt its spread?
 

The Evolution of Gonorrhea Bacteria

 

The WHO’s sample consisted people from countries such as France, Spain, and Japan who cannot be cured at all by any available antibiotic treatment prescribed for gonorrhea.
 

“It has been discovered that the bacteria that causes gonorrhea is predominantly smart. Every time we apply a fresh class of antibiotics to treat the disease, the bacteria evolves and therefore develops stronger and higher resistance to them,” says Dr. Teodora Wi, a medical officer in human reproduction working with the World Health Organization.
 

Currently, approximately 78 million people are infected with gonorrhea every year. Even though there are multiple treatments employed by healthcare professionals, most have been considered ineffective against antibiotic resistant gonorrhea that’s currently on the rise. 
 

The WHO now recommends only two types of treatments that remain reasonably strong worldwide.

 

New Drugs
 

The simple way to tackle this disease is to develop more effective drugs. Nevertheless, there are only three remedies or drugs in the development to battle gonorrhea. Zoliflodacin, a drug currently in development, is set to be released after it’s gone through significant clinical trials. However, this phase of testing can take years despite the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designating the drug for fast-tracked approval. 

 

The FDA observed that Fast Tracking allows inventors to advance the process of review for drugs. Due to the lack of operational treatments available for gonorrhea, Zoliflodacin is well thought-out to be a drug that satisfies an unmet need for treatment that’s in high demand. 

 

With antibiotic resistant gonorrhea on the rise, there’s more of a demand than ever for effective treatment. The WHO and FDA hope the drugs currently in development will be released in time to stem the tide of this increasingly common STI.

 

Facts About Gonorrhea

 

Gonorrhea can infect both men and women and is spread through unprotected sex. It causes infections around the genital areas, rectum, but may also affect the throat. Gonorrhea is also a common STI, with many new cases cropping up among people between the ages 15 to 24 year worldwide. Pregnant women can also transmit the infection to their unborn babies and happens mostly during the birth process at the birth canal.

 

Gonorrhea is more easily identified in women than in men. In fact, the disease may be dormant in men who are infected insomuch as they appear asymptomatic.

 

Despite the risks and spread of antibiotic resistant gonorrhea on the rise, it is completely possible to slow down or halt its spread. For sexually active people everywhere, it’s imperative to get tested on a routine basis. To find a convenient testing facility near you, choose STD Labs and our team of professional. We’re a nationwide network of specialized STD labs and clinics focused on ensuring health and wellness. Find a lab near you and take control of your health.