DIAGNOSIS, PREVENTION & TREATMENT OF GONORRHEA

In most cases, gonorrhea was diagnosed with gram stain and culture; however, newer polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based testing methods are becoming more common. In those who fail initial treatment culture should be done to determine sensitivity to antibiotics. All people who test positive for gonorrhea should be tested for other sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus.

Screening

The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for gonorrhea in women at increased risk of infection which includes all sexually active women younger than 25 years. It is not recommended in males without symptoms or low risk women.

Prevention

While the only sure way of preventing gonorrhea is abstaining from sexual intercourse, the risk of infection can be reduced significantly by using condoms correctly and by leading a monogamous relationship.

Treatment

Gonorrhea if left untreated may last for weeks or months with higher risks of complications. As of 2010 injectable ceftriaxone appears to be one of the few effective antibiotics. Because of increasing rates of antibiotic resistance local susceptibility patterns need to be taken into account when deciding on treatment. Many antibiotics that were once effective including penicillin,tetracycline and fluoroquinolones are no longer recommended because of high rates of resistance. Cases of resistance to ceftriaxone have been reported but are still rare.

In 2011, there have already been reports of a ‘Superbug’ gonorrhea which is resistant to the antibiotic.

 

Source: Wikipedia