Always use protection, because a gonorrhoea superbug is spreading like wild fire

Think twice before going home with that sexy stranger

Even hearing the word gonorrhoea is enough to put you off your food.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), however, are all too common. A night of rough and tumble with a partner, stranger, or that friend you promised yourself you wouldn’t sleep with, could result in some nasty side effects.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an untreatable gonorrhoea superbug is spreading around the world after three people in different countries were found to be suffering from the aggressive condition. WHO experts are warning people to be vigilant and wear protection because a ‘very serious situation’ is presenting itself. Highly drug-resistant STDs have been on the rise and scientists feared, according to WHO, that it was ‘only a matter of time’ before last-resort gonorrhoea antibiotics would become ineffective.

Teodora Wi, a human reproduction specialist at the UN health agency, said: ‘Gonorrhoea is a very smart bug. Every time you introduce a new type of antibiotic to treat it, this bug develops resistance to it.’

Oh, the horror.

[caption id="attachment_4511" align="aligncenter" width="413"] (Photo by Sergio Dionisio/Getty Images)[/caption]

Correctly identifying gonorrhoea can be tricky, as well. Typical symptoms include a thick green or yellow discharge from the penis or vagina, pain when urinating, and in women, bleeding between periods. However, half of infected women and one in 10 men won’t experience any symptoms. The disease can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility. Yikes! So, if you suspect you may have gonorrhoea, run to your nearest health centre as quickly as you can.

The WHO estimates a whopping 78 million people contract gonorrhoea each year, with infections found in the genitals, rectum and throat. Oral sex and a decline in condom use have contributed to the large number of sufferers, and gonorrhoea found in the throat is much harder to treat.

Next time you think of getting your jollies on, remember to always bring protection. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.