Doctors Sound the Alarm: Antibiotics Are Losing Effectiveness Against Gonorrhea
Health experts are warning that gonorrhea is becoming increasingly resistant to standard antibiotic treatments like ceftriaxone and azithromycin. While cases are rising across Europe, the infection is increasingly spreading locally rather than being imported solely from Southeast Asia.
Why it matters
The rise of antibiotic-resistant STIs poses a significant public health threat, potentially leading to increased rates of infertility and other long-term health complications.
Doctors Sound the Alarm: Antibiotics Are Losing Effectiveness Against Gonorrhea
The number of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea cases continues to rise across Europe. While such infections were previously mainly associated with overseas travel, specialists have noted their active spread within European countries since 2025.
The most significant increase has been recorded in France, Germany, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Isolated cases continue to be identified in other countries as well.
According to experts from the ECDC, it is particularly concerning that the bacteria are becoming less sensitive to ceftriaxone—the primary drug for treating gonorrhea—as well as to azithromycin, which is often used in combination therapy. If resistance continues to grow, the options for effective treatment will gradually diminish.
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