Gonorrhea is becoming increasingly difficult to treat, experts warn. A strain of gonorrhea that is resistant to antibiotics is becoming more widespread around the world. This leads to the risk of the development of a large-scale public health crisis, predicts the World Health Organization. Gonorrhea, or tripe, is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. It is spread through oral, vaginal and anal sex. About 106 million people worldwide become infected each year. A year ago, an international team of scientists warned that a new strain of the sexually transmitted bacteria gonorrhea was showing resistance to antibiotic treatment. WHO has released a global action plan to promote greater awareness, support, research, increased prevention efforts and monitoring of difficult gonorrhea treatment. Australia, France, Japan, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom are among the countries reporting cases of gonorrhea that do not respond to antibiotic treatment, which is a last-resort treatment against thrips. They are from developing countries with good healthcare systems. This means that poorer countries are likely to be at even higher risk, the WHO points out. The consequences of untreated infection are serious. It can cause infertility, which affects both men and women. About half of babies born to mothers with gonorrhea have severe eye infections that could lead to blindness. Pregnant women with the infection are at risk of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. NEWS_MORE_BOX Symptoms of gonorrhea include burning when urinating and discharge from the vagina or penis. If the bacteria reaches other parts of the body, joint pain, swelling and stiffness are possible, experts explain. According to experts, bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics, as a result of excessive or incorrect use of antimicrobial agents, as well as low-quality versions of these drugs. Gonorrhea strains have been found to have a particularly good ability to become resistant. Therefore, experts emphasize the importance of prevention of sexually transmitted diseases – practicing safe sex, correct and consistent use of condoms and limiting the number of sexual partners.