Shutterstock
Gonorrhoea, a serious infection of the genital tract caused by the bacterium neisseria gonorrhoeae, is very fucking real in Australia right now.
The annual surveillance report on HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmissible infections—released today by Sydney's Kirby Institute—reveals a 99 percent rise in cases of gonorrhoea in major cities, along with a 15 percent rise in regional areas. (Rural areas showed an eight percent drop.)A total of 23,887 Australians received new diagnoses in 2016, 72 percent of which were men. Between 2012 and 2016, "gonorrhoea notification rates" increased from 62 people in every 100,000 to 101 people in every 100,000.
The highest spike in gonorrhoea infections, according to the report, were men aged 25-29 and women aged 20-24.
Watch this: VICE delves into the world of medically assisted sex:
Gonorrhoea, if you weren't aware, is transmitted by oral, anal or genital sex. There are a range of symptoms, including joint pain and discharge (more here), but about 80 percent of women and 50 percent of men won't show any signs at all. Gonorrhoea is easily cured with antibiotics, if they're given soon after infection occurs. If it's left too late, lifelong complications are possible, particularly in women. So if you're in any doubt at all; if there's even the tiniest chance you've partied with neisseria gonorrhoeae, go and get checked. Now.
Advertisement
Watch this: VICE delves into the world of medically assisted sex:
Gonorrhoea, if you weren't aware, is transmitted by oral, anal or genital sex. There are a range of symptoms, including joint pain and discharge (more here), but about 80 percent of women and 50 percent of men won't show any signs at all. Gonorrhoea is easily cured with antibiotics, if they're given soon after infection occurs. If it's left too late, lifelong complications are possible, particularly in women. So if you're in any doubt at all; if there's even the tiniest chance you've partied with neisseria gonorrhoeae, go and get checked. Now.