JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A large number of a common, but potentially dangerous sexually transmitted infection, is affecting several Northeast Florida counties, especially Duval County residents, according to the CDC.
Gonorrhea is a type of STI caused by bacterial infection, and it’s the second-most commonly reported bacterial STI in the U.S. If left untreated, gonorrhea can cause serious problems like infertility.
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The most recent data from 2021 shows Florida is number 25 on the list of most reported cases. But Duval County is among the top areas in the state with infections, only behind the Tallahassee area.
Duval County is third in the state of Florida with 442 cases per 100,000 people.
Alachua and Columbia counties are also high on the list.
These are the populations at greater risk:
- Sexually active people between 15 and 24 years old
- Gay and bisexual males
- People with multiple sexual partners
- African Americans
Dr. Ali Kasraeian. a board-certified Jacksonville urologist, said it spreads so easily because half of people with the infection don’t have symptoms.
“So if something like this is happening, whether you’re male or female is challenging, especially for guys. Guys do not like to go to the doctor, imagine having to go to the doctor for something like this, to go to a physician and get the test that you need to do to get diagnosed, and then to be put on a medication for this and admit that this is actually something that’s going on,” Kasraeian said. “But it’s important to do it because not only does it make you feel better with the symptoms that you’re having, but the implications of not being treated in the future. And that is profound. So, I urge you, if you have symptoms like this get treated because the treatment for gonorrhea are very successful.”
These are some ways to reduce the risk:
- Abstinence
- If you choose against abstinence, reduce your partners
- Using protection
- Getting tested regularly
Doctors said it’s generally easy to treat gonorrhea with antibiotics but there are cases of strains that are antibiotic-resistant. If in doubt, see a doctor right away.
News4JAX reached out to the Duval County Department of Health and asked what they’re doing to inform the public and help take control of the situation. They responded:
We are continuously doing outreach within our community. We are collaborating with community partners and organizations to provide education and testing at events.
Department of Health - Duval County