peer reviews

W H O I S A T R I S K ?

S Y M P T O M S

W H A T W E T R I E D

W H A T I S T H E C O S T ?

HOW DOES THIS AFFECT US?

Gonorrhea is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the

world, with an estimated 98 million new cases annually. Men who have sex

with men and sex workers are at a significantly higher risk (Lin, Adamson

and Klausner, 2021).

Many Gonorrhea infections are asymptomatic, but if left untreated, they can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disorder, Infertility, and an increased risk of HIV (Yang and Yan, 2020)

Sulfonamides, penicillins, spectinomycin, tetracyclines,

fluoroquinolone, and azithromycin have all previously used but are now

ineffective (Lin, Adamson and Klausner, 2021).

Without addressing the emerging strain of antibiotic resistant Gonorrhea, there could be an additional 1.2 million infections within the next ten years. This would cost the US healthcare system $378.2 million dollars to treat (Chesson et al., 2018)

"SUPER GONORRHEA"? WHAT IS

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a gram negative bacteria transmitted through sexual contact, also known as a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Since the usage of modern antibiotics began, this bacteria has shown extreme ability to develop resistance to antibiotics (Lin, Eric).

" O H G O D , I T S O U N D S H O R R I B L E "

"SOUNDS LIKE A SCREWED UP MARVEL VILLAN"

60.6% of respondents had never been tested for

sexually transmitted infections.

The most common safer sex practice used by our participants was condom or barrier usage (45.5%), followed by abstinence and limiting anonymous partners (both 33.3%)

After learning what antibiotic resistant gonorrhea was, only 12.5% said they would change their safer sex practices.

WHAT DOES THE PUBLIC THINK?

Out of the individuals we surveyed, 84.8% of subjects

had not heard of super gonorrhea.

"

" O H G O D , I T S O U N D S H O R R I B L E "

"SOUNDS LIKE A SCREWED UP MARVEL VILLAN"

60.6% of respondents had never been tested for

sexually transmitted infections.

The most common safer sex practice used by our participants was condom or barrier usage (45.5%), followed by abstinence and limiting anonymous partners (both 33.3%)

After learning what antibiotic resistant gonorrhea was, only 12.5% said they would change their safer sex practices.

WHAT DOES THE PUBLIC THINK?

Out of the individuals we surveyed, 84.8% of subjects

had not heard of super gonorrhea.

"

24.2 of respondents said they had never been offered a sex ed class.

33.3% of participants said their sexual education courses were not helpful.

Some participants noted that if they had received sexual education classes, they were heteronormative and abstinence focused.

WHAT CAN WE DO? SO,

At this time, cephalosporins are still effective against treating Gonorrhea.

After treatment, individuals should wait at least 7 days before being sexually

active and should make sure their partner is treated too!

Let's stop the problem at the source!

We propose that schools provide comprehensive, inclusive sex ed to all students, and promote safer sex practices.

We also recommend free testing clinics available on weekends to increase public safety and awareness!

R E F E R E N C E S

C H E S S O N , H . , K I R K C A L D Y , R . , G I F T , T . , O W U S U - E D U S E I , K . A N D W E I N S T O C K , H . , 2 0 1 8 . A N

I L L U S T R A T I O N O F T H E P O T E N T I A L H E A L T H A N D E C O N O M I C B E N E F I T S O F C O M B A T I N G A N T I B I O T I C - R E S I S T A N T G O N O R R H E A . S E X U A L L Y T R A N S M I T T E D

D I S E A S E S , 4 5 ( 4 ) , P P . 2 5 0 - 2 5 3 .

L I N , E . , A D A M S O N , P . A N D K L A U S N E R , J . , 2 0 2 1 . E P I D E M I O L O G Y , T R E A T M E N T S , A N D V A C C I N E

D E V E L O P M E N T F O R A N T I M I C R O B I A L - R E S I S T A N T N E I S S E R I A G O N O R R H O E A E : C U R R E N T S T R A T E G I E S

A N D F U T U R E D I R E C T I O N S . D R U G S , 8 1 ( 1 0 ) , P P . 1 1 5 3 - 1 1 6 9 .

Y A N G , F . A N D Y A N , J . , 2 0 2 0 . A N T I B I O T I C R E S I S T A N C E A N D T R E A T M E N T O P T I O N S F O R

M U L T I D R U G - R E S I S T A N T G O N O R R H E A . I N F E C T I O U S M I C R O B E S A N D D I S E A S E S , 2 ( 2 ) , P P . 6 7 - 7 6 .