A number of new strains of gonorrhoea are becoming more widespread in a number of countries including Australia and New Zealand. This is resulting in some cases of this common sexually transmitted disease going undiagnosed. These new strains have been labelled ’stealth’ strains:

"Stealth" strains of gonorrhoea that fail to show up in tests are on the rise across the world, researchers have discovered, because the tests used by doctors to identify the bacteria look for an enzyme no longer present in those strains.

The rising prevalence of these strains was found in Australia, New Zealand, England, Scotland and Denmark.

Untreated gonorrhoea infections can cause severe and permanent health problems and can even be fatal. It can also cause infertility by harming the testicles or fallopian tubes.

Should You Be Concerned?

Gonorrhoea is one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections so everyone who is sexually active should be concerned and regularly tested for this disease.

What is Gonorrhoea and What are the Symptoms?

Femail.com.au has an easy to understand explanation of gonorrhoea and the symptoms to look for:

It is a bacterial infection, which is passed on through sexual intercourse that infects the internal genital tract organs e.g. the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. Sometimes there are symptoms, but as mentioned before a high percentage infected are asymptomatic (no symptoms).

If the disease goes untreated complications in females include adhesions, which form on the fallopian tubes and can result in infertility. If the woman is pregnant, gonorrhoea can be passed on to the baby and can also cause the baby to be born blind.

In both males and females a type of arthritis can occur (gonococcal arthritis) causing crippling joint pain and swelling. Fatal septicemia (infection in the blood stream) is another complication that can occur if this disease goes untreated.

If the individual if to suffer symptoms these may include:

Women

• Increase in vaginal discharge
• Pain on urination Irritation of the anus
• Abdominal pain
• Fever

Men

These symptoms are the similar to females, though are more likely to be more severe, however they may also include:

• Discharge from the penis
• Pain on urination
• Irritation of the anus
• Inflamed testicles
• Inflamed prostate gland (size can be examined a by doctor through an anal examination)

Treatment is fairly straight forward and effective. A short course of antibiotics is usually all that is required.

If you are expressing any of the above symptoms or haven’t had a recent health checkup then we recommend you make an appointment to see your GP as soon as possible.