Brits are being warned to practice safe sex in the face of a new 'super strain' of gonorrhoea set to sweep across the country.
With gruesome symptoms and painful implications, health experts are growing concerned as three new confirmed cases of the highly infections STI have appeared in the UK.
Dr. Teodora Wi from the World Health Organisation has warned "These are extensively drug-resistant gonorrhoea with high-level resistance to the current recommended treatment for gonorrhoea."
The bacterial infection is the second most common STI, and its symptoms are bad at the best of times — let alone when it becomes an unshiftable illness.
Dr Sameer Sanghvi, Clinical Technology Lead at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, said: "Finding this strain of gonorrhoea in the UK is a stark reminder of the importance of keeping on top of your sexual health.
Here's the low down on the nasty infection, with a breakdown of symptoms and advice on how to avoid it…
What is gonorrhoea?
Gonorrhoea is a bacteria spread through discharge — both male and female.
It can move from person to person via unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex and can also cling to shared vibrators and other unwashed sex toys.
Although it's not spread through kissing, gonorrhoea can travel through the cervix from a pregnant person to their baby.
If this happens, it can lead to permanent blindness in the baby.
What are the symptoms of gonorrhoea?
The NHS say that the typical symptoms of gonorrhoea include a thick green or yellow discharge.
Gonorrhoea symptoms also include pain when peeing, and bleeding between periods.
However it's believed around 1 in 10 infected men and almost half of infected women do not experience any symptoms — so it's vital to get checked regularly.
To add insult to injury – both men and women can get the infection in their rectum, eyes or throat, too.
If infected sex fluids reach the eyes, this can lead to conjunctivitis – or 'pink eye'.
The NHS explain: "Infection in the rectum can cause discomfort, pain or discharge. Infection in the eyes can cause irritation, pain, swelling and discharge, and infection in the throat usually causes no symptoms."
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Full list of gonorrhoea symptoms in women
- an unusual vaginal discharge, either thin and watery or green and yellow in colour
- pain or a burning sensation when peeing
- pain or tenderness in the lower abdominal area
- bleeding between periods, heavier periods and bleeding after sex
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Full list of gonorrhoea symptoms in men
- an unusual discharge from the tip of the penis
- pain or a burning sensation when peeing
- swelling foreskins
- pain or tenderness in the testicles
Gonorrhoea treatment
According to the NHS, gonorrhoea is treated using antibiotics. In most cases, treatment involves having an antibiotic injection to the bum or the thigh.
These are usually recommended if:
- tests have shown you have gonorrhoea
- there's a high chance you have gonorrhoea, even though your test results have not come back yet
- your partner has been diagnosed with gonorrhoea
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