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Gonorrhea resurgence in Canada:

Gonorrhea is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) that affects both men and women. Gonorrhea used to be called "the clap", and it is treatable, often with a single dose of antibiotics. Some 32 strains of the bacteria have become resistant to standard antibiotics. Treating patients with gonorrhea will become more difficult if resistant strains continue to increase. If left untreated, gonorrhea can cause serious complications including pelvic inflammatory disease in women and infertility for both sexes.

In the 1980s and early 1990s, the rate of gonorrhea in Canada went down steadily. Part of this change might have been because people changed their sexual practices due to increased awareness of the threat of HIV/AIDS.

Correct and consistent use of condoms is an effective way of preventing both HIV and gonorrhea transmission, but individuals at risk may be experiencing 'condom fatigue'. After reaching an all-time low in 1997, gonorrhea rates began to climb. This reversal signals another important shift in sexual behaviour: younger people may believe that HIV is no longer the death sentence that it was in the 1980s, and are having unprotected sex that increases their risk of gonorrhea and other STIs.

From 1997 to 2001, there was a 45% increase in the rate of gonorrhea in Canada. The increase has been even more dramatic among men aged 30-39: in this age group, the rate went up 68% from 1997 to 2001.

Understanding who is at risk for gonorrhea is the first step to preventing new infections. The present disease surveillance system does not tell enough about the risk factors among people who contract gonorrhea and other STIs. For the health of the public, we must prepare to reach out to populations at risk using the internet and other creative approaches.

For more information on this research, go to:
Hansen L, Wong T, Perrin M. Gonorrhoea resurgence in Canada. Int J STD & AIDS 2003;14(11):727-731.

For more information on antibiotic resistant gonorrhea, go to: Policy and Guidelines & Articles by Section Members