Prelims – Current events of National Importance| General Science
Mains (GS I) – Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health.
Why in News?
A new study finds that a new type of antibiotic, gepotidacin for the treatment of urinary tract infections in women could also work against gonorrhoea infections
- It is a contagious sexually transmitted infection.
- Caused by - Neisseria gonorrhoeae, type of bacteria.
- It is often called "the clap" and can affect the genitals, mouth, or rectum.
- Transmission - Primarily occurs through vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
- It can also be transmitted from a mother to her baby during childbirth.
- Symptoms
- Men - May experience pain or burning while urinating, discharge from the penis, and/or testicular pain.
- Women - May experience vaginal discharge, pain or burning while urinating, and/or pelvic pain.
- Rectal Gonorrhea - May cause anal itching, discharge, or pain during bowel movements.
- Throat Gonorrhea - Can cause sore throat.
- Asymptomatic Infections - Many people with gonorrhea have no symptoms, making it easy to spread unknowingly.
- High -Risk Category - Sexually active women younger than 25 and men who have sex with men are at increased risk of getting gonorrhea.
- Severity - Gonorrhea can lead to serious health problems if left untreated, and though rare, can even spread to the blood or joints.
- Among women, untreated gonorrhea can cause an infection of the reproductive organs called pelvic inflammatory disease, which can lead to a greater risk of pregnancy complications and infertility.
- In men, gonorrhea also can lead to infertility in rare cases.
- Treatment - The primary treatment for gonorrhea is ceftriaxone, an injectable cephalosporin antibiotic.
- However, due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains, dual therapy with ceftriaxone and azithromycin is often recommended, especially in areas with high rates of resistance.
- Prevalence - Gonorrhea is the 2nd most common sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria, just behind chlamydia.
- In the United States, gonorrhea and other sexually transmitted infections or STIs have become more common.
Reference
CNN |Gonorrhea
