Gonorrhea vaccine in Spain: where to apply, how to get it, and who can get it

Given the increase in detected cases of gonorrhea , solutions are being sought to curb it. England launched a routine vaccination program in August, a measure Spain was ahead of, as Galicia was already vaccinating a month earlier.

The situation regarding this disease is becoming worrying, and measures have been taken. Gonorrhea has become the STI with the highest number of new infections . In 2023, 34,401 new infections were recorded in our country, representing a 42.6% increase compared to 2021.

The gonorrhea vaccine in Spain

As time goes by, strains of gonorrhea are appearing that are increasingly resistant , and treatments that until now had been effective are beginning to be less so, so alternatives are beginning to be considered, such as the 4CMenB vaccine , originally developed against meningitis B, but which has been shown to be effective in reducing gonorrhea infections.

As reported by the Xunta, it is planned to vaccinate people between 18 and 65 years of age who meet any of the established criteria, which are: having a recent diagnosis (in the previous twelve months) of chlamydia , mpox, treponema pallidum, gonorrhea and HIV, those with a history of two or more STIs in the last five years and those who have engaged in risky behaviors or conduct in the last year will also be vaccinated. People who received prophylaxis against HIV or another STI, pre or post exposure on more than one occasion in the last year, and when there is clinical suspicion of gonorrhea even if an etiological diagnosis is not made will be inoculated.

The vaccine consists of two doses, separated by a minimum interval of two months . Currently, Galicia is the only place where this prevention system is being considered, although it is not ruled out that it could soon be extended to other parts of Spain if the results are as expected. In any case, you can consult with your Health Center or specialized centers about the possibility of accessing this vaccine. Currently, the most effective method to reduce the risk of infection is to use barrier contraceptive methods , such as condoms.

Gonorrhea, what it is and its symptoms

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria that thrive in warm, moist areas of the body and can be spread through any type of sexual activity. These bacteria can infect the urethra, rectum, female reproductive system, mouth, throat, or eyes. Symptoms may appear two to five days after infection , although they do not occur in all cases, which increases the risk of complications and also of transmitting to others.

The most common symptoms in men are pain and burning during urination, increased frequency or urgency, pus-like discharge from the penis, a red or swollen urethra, tender or swollen testicles, or a sore throat. In women, it usually presents with pain and burning during urination, a sore throat, or painful intercourse, but also with severe pain in the lower abdomen, abnormal uterine bleeding, bleeding after intercourse, abnormal vaginal discharge, a foul-smelling or colorless discharge, and fever.

In addition to the genital area, gonorrhea can affect other parts of the body , such as the rectum, causing pus-like discharge, blood staining, or straining during bowel movements. If it affects the joints, they may be warm, red, swollen, and painful. Gonorrhea can also affect the eyes , causing pain, sensitivity to light, and pus-like discharge from one or both eyes.

If any of these symptoms occur, or if the couple has been diagnosed, it's best to see a doctor, because untreated gonorrhea can lead to complications such as infertility , an infection that spreads to other areas of the body, and an increased risk of contracting HIV or AIDS. Babies can also become infected during birth, which can have serious consequences for them, such as scalp sores or blindness.

References

Gonorrhea - Symptoms and Causes - Mayo Clinic . (n.d.). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gonorrhea/symptoms-causes/syc-20351774

Gonorrhea: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia . (n.d.). https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007267.htm