Neisseria Gonorrhoea

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are 88 million new cases of gonorrhea each year. It is common for infected individuals to be asymptomatic and unknowingly spread the disease. Asymptotic infections along with the emergence of multidrug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae, present a significant challenge in controlling the disease. If left untreated, gonorrhea may last for weeks or months with a high risk of complications such as infertility in both men and women, infection in the joints and other areas of the body, and an increased risk for HIV/AIDS.

Women with gonorrhea infections before or during pregnancy are also at increased risk for pregnancy complications such as stillbirth and premature birth. In addition, babies can become infected with gonorrhea during the birth process, leading to eye and joint infections and possible life-threatening blood infections. Men who have had a gonorrhea infection have a significantly increased risk of having prostate cancer.