There has reportedly been an noticeable increase in, not only cases of a sexually transmitted disease, but ones with “significant complications”. The California Department of Public Health has received reports of a severe form of Gonorrhea called Disseminated Gonococcal Infections, which generally occurs only with untreated Gonorrhea. That means that it’s a completely preventable complication…..in this case, probably due to people not seeked care becsuse of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Disseminated Gonorrhea means that the Neisseri Gonorrhoeae pathogen has spread beyond the site of the original infection, and is in the blood stream….which can lead to a variety of symptoms. The most common of those are joint pain and the swelling of the infected joints….along with small, painless skin lesions that have either clear fluid, or pus, inside them. Other possible, more serious, side effects include infections in the blood, and/or heart valves – – – and fluid around the brain.
STD screenings are strongly encouraged, especially for sexually active women (who are 25 years-old and younger), women who are pregnant, and men who have sex with other men…..or anyone who has H.I.V.
