The World Health Organization (WHO) warns of a possible increase in antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea – also known as ‘supergonorrhea’ – due to overuse of antibiotics during the COVID-19 pandemic. The news, delivered to the British newspaper the Sun via a WHO spokesperson, both elicited is coming and humor on social media Monday.
The spokesperson specifically mentioned a commonly prescribed antibiotic known as azithromycin, saying that ‘overuse of antibiotics in the community in general is the rise of antimicrobial resistance in [gonorrhea]. But what is supergonorrhea, and is it something to worry about in the US? Here’s what you need to know.
It is a type of gonorrhea that is resistant to the drugs used to treat it
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease that affects more than 1 million Americans each year. Super gonorrhea refers to strains of the STD that do not respond to ordinary antibiotics. The first cases of supergonorrhea occurred in Japan in 2011, but antibiotic-resistant strains have since spread to many countries, including the US. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) presents an information sheet on supergonorrhea that says it has developed rapidly. resistance to all but one class of antibiotics ”and that as many as half of the new gonorrhea infections are resistant to at least one antibiotic.
Dr. Bruce Y. Lee, a professor at the CUNY School of Public Health & Health Policy, predicted the arrival of supergonorrhea in the US at a 2018 Open Forbes, following the first case in the UK Talking to Yahoo Life, Lee says that supergonorrhea is one of the many “superbugs”, or bacterial strains that are resistant to the drugs used to treat it. “In 2017, the WHO published a list of bad sugars and drug-resistant gonorrhea,” says Lee. “So it was always a concern.”
Azithromycin, a standard treatment for gonorrhea, is frequently prescribed during the pandemic
Lee says concerns about a looming increase in supergonorrhea stem from the use of a specific antibiotic called azithromycin. Acithromycin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic early in the pandemic (meaning it is effective for many conditions) and has been prescribed due to its success with pneumonia. But Lee says its use has increased significantly after some experts suggested that it be used in combination with hydroxychloroquine, an immunosuppressive drug that doctors have since discouraged from prescribing to COVID-19 patients.
“Back then, people tried all sorts of things – especially anything that might have anti-inflammatory properties,” says Lee. “But scientific studies have basically not found the benefit of adding azithromycin to the standard of care for patients hospitalized with COVID-19.”
Two weeks ago, the CDC changed its guidelines for the treatment of gonorrhea
Although no official data has been published showing an increase in supergonorrhea in the US, Lee points to a December 18 study published in the CDC’s weekly report on morbidity and mortality, which revealed that cases of azithromycin-resistant gonorrhea has increased more than seven. fold in five years.
In the wake of the paper, the CDC removed acithromycin as standard treatment, suggesting that suppliers only give ceftriaxone – another antibiotic – instead of both. The page now reads: “CDC’s updated recommendations for the treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhea in adolescents and adults: two-drug approach is no longer recommended; treated with only a 500 mg injection of ceftriaxone. ”
Experts are concerned that other factors related to the pandemic could spread supergonorrhea
‘There are concerns about the overuse of antibiotics, but the other concern is that many’ non-essential ‘health services are being shut down … that people at higher risk for sexually transmitted infections may not be getting the right care or preventative take measures, ”says Lee. ‘They may not treat either [STIs] or trying to treat themselves using antibiotics they get online or from a friend – and that’s problematic. The combination is therefore important for the World Health Organization. ”
He says while it is too soon to say definitively whether the cases are increasing, it is likely. ‘The CDC made the change [to their recommendations] because before the pandemic they saw a steady increase in the percentage of drug-resistant strains, ”says Lee. ‘One would therefore expect this to be an ongoing problem. ‘
The best ways to stay safe are to limit the use of antibiotics and to practice safe sex.
Lee notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated ‘existing problems’ in society and that supergonorrhea is no exception. ‘It’s not as if supergonorrhea has become a concern right now; it was worrying, ”he says. “People see the headline every now and then, but then it will disappear … but the problem is still there and it’s getting worse and the solution is not coming.”
So what can you do to protect yourself? Lee first says ‘be careful with the use of antibiotics’ and try to take it only when necessary. “Any type of antibiotic use will cause more resistance,” he says. A large percentage of the upper respiratory tract will not benefit from antibiotics. Do not use or insist on it unless you really need it. ‘
This includes COVID-19. “You may run into someone who tells you to take azithromycin, but keep in mind that there is no evidence that it will actually help you,” he says.
Finally, he notes that those who believe they have a sexually transmitted disease should visit a doctor (‘do not try to treat it yourself ”) and that everyone should practice safe sex. “Use protection, be careful, practice safe sex, and so on,” he says. “It may sound like a less serious problem during a pandemic when people take social distances, but we still need to remember that not everyone follows the guidelines.”
For the latest coronavirus news and updates, follow along https://news.yahoo.com/coronavirus. According to experts, people over the age of 60 and those with an immune system are at greatest risk. If you have any questions, please refer to the CDCse en WIE’s resource guides.
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