Gonorrhea 'superbug' comes to Canada

Gonorrhea superbugs are swiftly emerging in Canada, and men,

as well as patients over 30 are at the greatest risk,

new research shows.

This very interesting article tells us if left untreated gonorrhea can lead to

pelvic inflammatory disease and scarring of the fallopian tubes, causing

infertility in women. Inflammation of the prostate and urethra for men.

This sexually transmitted infection can cause serious bloodstream and

joint infections, as well as immune complications.

SYMPTOMS:

A painful or burning sensation with urination and penile or vaginal

discharge. But the new strain may not even show that.

FACTS:

In 2006, 28 per cent of gonorrhea infections in Ontario were resistant

to a potent class of antibiotics known as quinolones, up from four per cent

in 2002, according to a study in this week's issue of the

Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Gonorrhea is the second-most commonly reported sexually transmitted

infection in Canada, behind chlamydia.

Current Canadian doctors recommend quinolones — A drug

that is widely used to treat other infections, such as pneumonia,

and include the drug ciprofloxacin, or Cipro — They experts are now

recommending that it not be used for first-line treatment of gonorrhea

and that doctors switch to another drug class instead.

Recommendations for cephalosporins use instead of

qunds using inolones for gonorrhea. Were suggested, but doctors in Japan

and other countries are seeing resistance to cephalosporins.

Canadians doctors prefer quinolones because they're easy to take, safe

and tolerable.

According to Richardson Gonorrhea is targeting men and women

over 30-it appears they indulge in behaviour that puts them at higher

risk,"It's possible men have more frequent partners with people at higher

isk ofcarrying the organisms, such as sex-trade workers or men who have

sex with men.

"People should be concerned about their own personal risk," he says.

"They should take the appropriate precautions, they should always use

condomsfor the prevention of sexually transmitted infections with new

partners, andpreferably longer term."

Even if a person has been recently screened forgonorrhea and is negative,

"he or she may be carrying another STI that can't be

routinely tested for,"

Article was writted by skirkey@canwest.com