Gonorrhoea on the rise in Newcastle
Hunter New England Health is reminding people to have regular sexual health checks and to practise safe sex following a major increase in the number of people with Gonorrhoea in the
Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection (
HNE Health Director of Sexual Health Dr Treeny Ooi said the majority of people affected were young men and women in their teens or twenties.
“Men who have sex with men have been identified as a group particularly at risk however heterosexual people have also been infected,” Dr Ooi said.
“Gonorrhoea often causes no symptoms and people may not be aware that they are infected. When symptoms are present, they can include discharge from the penis or vagina and pain when passing urine or during bowel motions.
“Untreated Gonorrhoea can cause serious and permanent health problems in men and women. It can cause painful infection in the testicles or fallopian tubes that connect the womb to the ovaries and may result in infertility.”
A sexual health check for Gonorrhoea is a simple process and can be arranged with a GP or through the local sexual health clinic.
“Too many people are unwittingly infecting their partners and the only way to ensure that you do not have an
Condoms offer good protection against STIs such as Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia and are an important part of practising safe sex.
“There is a high awareness about the benefits of condom use but it can be a very different story when it comes time to put that knowledge into practice,” Dr Ooi said.
“People often don't consider themselves at risk or find it embarrassing to talk about using a condom with their partner.
"People can help themselves and their partners by making condom use normal, and not something that has to be requested.
“If you are sexually active, it is essential to use condoms and have regular sexual health tests at your GP or sexual health clinic so that you know you’re STI free,” Dr Ooi said.
Contact: Sharna McCarthy
Phone: 4921 4501