Cases of gonorrhoea that are resistant to antibiotics are increasing in England, with concerns that the condition could become “untreatable” in the future. Medical experts have raised alarms about the growing resistance of the sexually transmitted infection (STI) to common treatments, particularly the antibiotic ceftriaxone.
Gonorrhoea is typically treatable with antibiotics, but the emergence of ceftriaxone-resistant strains has created challenges for healthcare providers. In some cases, the bacteria causing the infection can survive and multiply even when exposed to the drug, leading to difficulties in treatment.
Recent data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) indicates that, between January 2024 and March 2025, there were 17 reported cases of ceftriaxone-resistant gonorrhoea. This marks a significant increase compared to the 16 cases reported across 2022 and 2023. Additionally, the agency recorded nine cases of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) gonorrhoea, up from five cases in the previous two years.
XDR gonorrhoea is especially concerning as it does not respond to both ceftriaxone and the secondary treatment options. These strains have primarily been linked to regions in the Asia-Pacific, where resistance to ceftriaxone is more prevalent. While transmission within England remains limited, the rising cases signal a potential challenge in the future, should the infection spread further.
The symptoms of gonorrhoea include green or yellow discharge from the genital areas, pain during urination, and discomfort in the rectum. In women, symptoms may also include lower abdominal pain or bleeding between periods. However, many individuals may not show symptoms at all, which can delay diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Katy Sinka, a consultant epidemiologist and head of the STI section at UKHSA, warned that if the trend continues, gonorrhoea could become untreatable in the future. She stressed the importance of early detection and treatment to prevent serious complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility, which can result from untreated infections.
Gonorrhoea, caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae, is listed on the UKHSA’s list of the greatest threats to public health due to its growing resistance to treatment. In the first nine months of 2024 alone, there were nearly 55,000 diagnoses in sexual health services, compared to over 85,000 in all of 2023.
As concerns about antibiotic resistance grow, health experts are urging individuals to practice safe sex and get tested regularly to help curb the spread of gonorrhoea and other STIs.
Related Topics
