Gonorrhea, a common STD affecting over 700,000 people in the US each year, is becoming more difficult to treat. Recently, a drug-resistant strain of gonorrhea was found in Japan, meaning specific strains of gonorrhea have developed a resistance to known treatment methods. Super-bug strains have already been isolated in the United States.
Gonorrhea was one an easily cured infection, and for the most part, it still is very easily cured. To this day, very few drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea have been found. However, since certain strains of the bacteria are evolving and developing resistance to the current antibiotics, there is potential for this problem to escalate. The bacteria have already grown immune to previous forms of treatment, and only one class of antibiotics remains effective.
Any suspicious strains of gonorrhea should be cultured and examined. Furthermore, anyone who is at risk for gonorrhea (i.e., any sexually active adults) should receive gonorrhea testing and STD testing at least once a year. If diagnosed, a follow-up test for gonorrhea should take place after treatment to ensure the virus has been fully cured.
