- We see a trend break and are concerned about the increased spread of infection.

In the second half of 2022, we saw that gonorrhea has now entered the younger heterosexual population, says Mattias Waldeck, assistant infectious disease doctor at Smittskydd Skåne.

In 2022, the number of people infected increased sharply in Skåne and 531 people were diagnosed.

In the past, most cases of gonorrhea were found among men who have sex with men, but now it is primarily heterosexuals who have been infected.

Very contagious

- Gonorrhea is highly contagious.

The fact that it is spreading now is due to increased risk-taking, that you do not protect yourself.

This has led to a large spread of infection, says Mattias Waldeck.

Gonorrhea does not always cause symptoms, about half of the women who are infected have no symptoms at all.

- It is important that you get tested regularly so that you can receive treatment early, says Mattias Waldeck.

Increased antibiotic resistance

Gonorrhea is treated in specialist clinics and can be cured with antibiotics.

But what further complicates things is that there is increased antibiotic resistance in the gonorrhea bacteria.

- Untreated gonorrhea in women can lead to inflammation in the fallopian tubes, which can lead to infertility, says Mattias Waldeck, assistant infectious disease doctor.

In the clip below, Mattias Waldeck tells how to know if you are infected with gonorrhea.

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Reduced fear of HIV is believed to be behind the increased spread of gonorrhea.

Photo: TT