Sexual Health News - Gonorrhea

Maine health officials cite increase in gonorrhea cases

By Christopher Lynch, MD Jan. 03, 2013
As more researchers continue to track the progression of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and raise awareness of available online STD testing, statistics on the prominences of STDs are making headlines.

Recently, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the number of gonorrhea cases in the state has nearly quadrupled over the last four years, according to The Associated Press. More than half of the cases that were documented pertained to people in their 20s.

Stephen Sears, state epidemiologist, told the news source that the research is concerning. However, the fact of the matter is that these Maine statistics are relatively on par with the rest of the country. More education on this STD and others may help people protect themselves from health complications in the future.

Gonorrhea spreads through sexual interaction in both men and women, and it can be potentially fatal if left untreated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, the CDC confirms that the disease can be treated if diagnosed properly.

Using a condom during intercourse can reduce the risk of contracting gonorrhea from an individual who is infected. However, the most effective way to avoid the disease is by interacting intimately with a single partner in a monogamous relationship who does not have the condition.
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