
Untreatable ‘super gonorrhea’ on the rise, spread by oral sex
The clap is clapping back.
A new strain of gonorrhea is infecting patients all over the world — and the World Health Organization is sending a warning that this mutant “super gonorrhea” is not treatable by current means.
About 78 million people catch gonorrhea every year — but the new antibiotic-resistant strain developed due to mistreatment of gonorrhea bacteria left in the throat after oral sex. Gonorrhea in the throat often looks like strep throat, so doctors prescribe standard antibiotics, which then mix with the bacteria, creating antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea.

Practice safe sex always, super gonorrhea may be evolving thanks to oral sex and misdiagnosis of gonorrhea in the throat.
(KATARZYNABIALASIEWICZ/GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO)
Both of the current antibiotics used to treat gonorrhea — ceftriaxone and azithromycin — are becoming increasingly ineffective against the new strain.
Gargle, rinse, spit that gonorrhea away: study
“The bacteria evolve(d) to resist them," said agency Medical Officer Dr. Teodora Wi.
U.S. authorities have had some success against gonorrhea by using both ceftriaxone and azithromycin — but it’s unclear how long such a regimen will deter the super gonorrhea.”