2 minutes read2 minutes readVaccines have been a vital tool for eradicating all kinds of infections, from polio and smallpox to measles and whooping cough.
In the world of STIs, vaccines remain important for preventing several infections like HPV and Hepatitis B. Having a vaccine for an infection could seriously limit its ability to spread, thereby protecting the health of those that may get it.
That’s why news of a vaccine for Gonorrhoea is being treated with high interest at Better2Know.
Could this vaccine someday help you? Keep reading to find out.
What is Gonorrhoea?
Gonorrhoea is one of the most common STIs in the world. Around 82 million people get it every year. In 2023, over 40,000 people in Australia were notified of Gonorrhoea, with over two-thirds of all notifications in males.
Most people get Gonorrhoea from unprotected sex, including vaginal sex, anal sex, and oral sex. You can also get it from sharing a sex toy with an infected person.
When infected bodily fluids come in contact with the mucous membranes in your genitals, rectum, mouth, or eyes, bacteria have a chance to establish an infection.
During a genital Gonorrhoea infection, you might experience things like unusual genital discharge, an itching or burning sensation at the site of infection, and pain during urination and sex. You may notice similar symptoms in the rectum, eyes, or throat if you get the infections in these areas.
Is there a vaccine for Gonorrhoea?
Yes and no.
Lots of observational and laboratory studies have reported that Gonorrhoea infections might be prevented by the meningococcal group B (MenB) vaccine. This vaccine was originally intended to vaccinate people against infections like meningitis, septicaemia, and sepsis.
Rollouts of the vaccines have been proposed and tested in the Northern Territory, which in 2022 had some of the highest rates of Gonorrhoea in people ages 15-19. The thinking was that if the vaccine could protect against MenB and reduce Gonorrhoea infections at the same time, it would be a massive boon to the health of those involved. The only other state that funds its own MenB vaccine program is South Australia, which did so in response to infections almost double the national rate.
Similar vaccination programs are currently being considered by the UK government.
MenB is rare, but infections can be deadly. Around 10% of people carry MenB bacteria in their throats at any one time, and it can spread through close physical contact, like kissing.
Why would someone need it?
If left untreated, Gonorrhoea can cause issues with fertility, ectopic pregnancies, and higher rates of miscarriage. In men, untreated Gonorrhoea can make you more susceptible to developing prostate cancer. You’re also more likely to get other STIs like HIV if you have Gonorrhoea.
While this would be good enough reason to get this vaccine, there are other, more serious reasons why a Gonorrhoea vaccine might be urgently needed. Many strains of Gonorrhoea are quickly gaining resistance to antibiotics, making treatment less and less effective.
Final thoughts
Gonorrhoea remains a serious public health concern. If you’re worried that you’ve been exposed to an infection, you should get tested as soon as possible.
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