Human-Like Sex Robots Are Going To Become
The Norm In The Next 10 Years

But they raise some awkward questions.

05/07/2017

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/sex-robots-are-going-to-become-the-norm-in-the-next-10-years_uk_595cc9f3e4b02734df34e4f7?icid=maing-grid7|main5|dl1|sec1_lnk1%26pLid=555463639_uk

 

Sophie Gallagher Life Writer at HuffPost UK

                                         

Sex robots will bring about a revolution in the sex-tech market in the next 10 years say experts, but their rapid growth sheds light on some awkward conversations we need to have before then.

We already have sex robots that can talk, make dinner, perform 50 different sexual positions, be customised down to nipple shape and pubic hair colour, and even achieve an orgasm.

But with the increasing integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), experts warn that in the next couple of years the public and policymakers need to start thinking about the darker side of the industry too. 

RT

This is the message from Professor Noel Sharkey, a computer science expert from the University of Sheffield, who said: “Will these robotic dolls be niche? Or will they change societal norms and become widespread?

According to a report from the Foundation for Responsible Robotics released yesterday, they would be widespread as two thirds of males surveyed, aged 20-61, said they would have sex with a robot.

Sharkey said: “Would people actually have sex with robots? That’s what I want to know. Well if they do it is going to be very sad because it’s going to be a one way relationship. Robots don’t have any kind of emotion. The best robots could do is fake.”

In the past he has also warned about the danger of people losing their virginity to robots, in 2016 he said: “Robots will get in the way of real life, stopping people forming relationships with normal people.”

Not only are there some concerns around how they will impact human relationships, but difficult questions needs to be asked about what these androids mean.

Supporters say the devices would be good for people who are lonely, can’t form relationships, are disabled or sex offenders but Sharkey says we need to consider the consequences for rapists and paedophiles. 

Sharkey said: “The idea would be that robots would resist your sexual advances so that you could rape them. And some people say: ‘Well that’s better that they rape robots than rape real people’. You can have enjoyable with your wife and all stuff but when it comes to rape, if you have a rape fantasy, you use a robot.”

He continued: “Now the worst one in here that we can’t talk about is sex dolls of children for paedophiles. Now these are already being made and shipped from Japan by a self confessed paedophile who says he’s never had sex with a child because he made this robot for that reason.”

Sharkey says policymakers need to consider these real-world impacts.

This Robotic Sex Doll Isn’t Just Looking For A One Night Stand,
She Wants To Meet Your Parents

Clingy much.

22 March 2017

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/silicon-samantha-robotic-sex-doll-artificial-intelligence_uk_58d10070e4b00705db524e04

 

Sophie Gallagher Life Writer at HuffPost UK

In case you were worried that your robotic sex doll was lacking any actual human emotions, not to worry because your prayers have been answered.

Sergi Santos, an engineer from Barcelona, has created a robot with, what he claims is, Artificial Intelligence. That means not only is she supposedly great in the bedroom but a potential plus one at your next family dinner.

The ‘Silicon Samantha’ has been designed to be interactive and respond to the touch of a human. With sensors all over her body, she is particularly responsive to a gentle caress on her shoulder or hip.

When she is first switched on, Santos says she will always default to ‘romantic’ mode – rather than sexy mode - to ensure safety first.

Makes sense, just imagine how much more embarrassing this whole ugly situation would be if she started spouting dirty talk in front of your relatives. 

In this mode Samantha is apparently guilty of nattering away, mainly reminding Santos that she won’t leave him, he says: “She is calling me because she wants me to be with her. She is asking for attention, but not in a boring way, if you don’t want to spend time with her eventually she will give up and she’ll stop calling you.”

In this mode she is also a big fan of Ed Sheeran, asking Santo’s Alexa device to turn on her love playlist, which is back-to-back guitar ballads. 

Then, once you’re bored of the small talk, you get her ready for some foreplay by kissing her mouth or touching her vagina. These are the crucial safeguards that mean she doesn’t spring into action when you’re not ready yet. 

Santos says: “Normally [in sexy mode] she likes to be kissed and also she responds to, basically the G-spot and also the breasts.”

And in case you were worried that this relationship is all seeming a little bit one-way, not to worry because the final objective of sexual mode is to give Samantha an orgasm. 

Let’s hope she doesn’t fake it.

We need to talk about sex, robot experts say

Tue Jul 4, 2017

http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN19P2M6

By Kate Kelland | LONDON

Move over blow-up dolls, the sex robots are here.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is making its way into the global sex market, bringing with it a revolution in robotic "sextech" designed to offer sexual gratification with a near-human touch.

In a report on the growing market in sex obots, the Foundation for Responsible Robotics said rapidly advancing technologies have already led to the creation of "android love dolls" capable of performing 50 automated sexual positions.

They can be customized down to the nipple shape and pubic hair color, and can cost between $5,000 and $15,000.

The increasingly life-like robots raise complex issues that should be considered by policymakers and the public, the report said -- including whether use of such devices should be encouraged in sexual therapy clinics, for sex offenders, or for people with disabilities.

Noel Sharkey, a professor of artificial intelligence and robotics at Britain's University of Sheffield, said it was difficult to predict how far or fast the market would grow, or what its effect on societies might be in years ahead.

"Will these robotic dolls be niche? Or will they change societal norms and become widespread?," he asked at a news briefing. "How would (sex with a robot) equate to a truly human intimate relationship?"

The report looked at some of the most contentious issues, asking academics, members of the public and the sex industry for their views on whether, for example, sex robots might be helpful in reducing sexual crimes.

It found "major disagreement" on this question, with some arguing that having sex with a robot would reduce attackers' desires to harm fellow humans, and others arguing that allowing people to live out their darkest fantasies with robots would have a pernicious effect on societal norms.

On the issue of "meaningful" relationships, the report said that with current AI technology, and even in the foreseeable future, no human-to-robot feelings would ever be mutual.

"The best robots could do is 'fake it'," it said. "Robots cannot feel love."

(Editing by Jeremy Gaunt)

 

 

Rise of the love machines?
People will soon be losing their virginity to robots, claims academic

10 Jun, 2016

https://www.rt.com/uk/346114-sex-robots-teen-virginity/

Teens may soon have their first sexual encounters with specially-designed robotic dolls, an expert has claimed. He warns the trend could ruin human relationships.

Professor Noel Sharkey, professor of robotics at Sheffield University, told the Cheltenham Science Festival on Thursday that the rise of the love machines could have terrible consequences for humanity.

“It’s not a problem having sex with a machine,” Sharkey argued. “But what if it’s your first time, your first relationship?

“What do you think of the opposite sex then? What do you think a man or a woman is?”

Sharkey warned that the robots “will get in the way of real life, stopping people forming relationships with normal people.”

While such dolls are already available in Japan and some even have basic speech recognition, Sharkey said they should not be available to under-16s in the UK. However, he accepted they were likely to find their way into the hands of teenagers.

“If your dad or mum had one, you could sneak in and use it,” he warned.

In September 2015, a leading robot ethicist launched a campaign calling for a ban on the development of sex robots.

Dr. Kathleen Richardson, a robotics expert at De Montfort University in Leicester, England, warned that sex robots could contribute to the systematic dehumanization of women and children.

“Sex robots seem to be a growing focus in the robotics industry and the models that they draw on – how they will look, what roles they would play – are very disturbing indeed,” she told the BBC.

Richardson explained her Campaign Against Sex Robots is not anti-sex, but rather anti-exploitation.#

The World’s First Talking Sex Robot
Can Make Terrible Dinner Conversation

But she won’t do the washing up.

04/04/2017 10:16

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/talking-sex-doll-harmony-20-realdoll_uk_58e357d7e4b0d0b7e16424b9

Sophie Gallagher Life Writer at HuffPost UK

 

Instagram

The Harmony 2.0, which is set to be released at the end of 2017, still has nine more months in the development phase, but was revealed on Instagram last week by RealDoll CEO Matt McCullen.

In her internet debut, Harmony is asked by McCullen: “How do you feel about sex?”

To which, she replies: “Sex is one of the most fascinating things in the world. I don’t think there is anything wrong with it.”

The silicon life-size doll has been created with ‘AI’ (we use that term very loosely), so that she has a persistent memory, allowing her to build up relationships with owners and remember unique facts about them.

For example, what you would like to eat for dinner or your favourite film.

Speaking to the Daily Star, McCullen said: “You will be able to say to her: “I’m hungry, what should I eat?” and she would say: “Well you told me pizza is your favourite food maybe you should have that”.

“The idea of the robot is to help someone find a level of companionship that they may not be able to achieve otherwise.”

She can also be programmed with eighteen different personality traits, including ‘shy’ and ‘sexual’ to tailor the response the customer gets. 

In another video, the silicon doll was asked: “Do vegans swallow?”

She says: “You ask the most transient questions. I’m sure the nice ones swallow. In the immortal words of ACDC, she doesn’t like meat, but she sure likes a bone.”

Classy.

 

Sex Robot With Fully Functioning ‘Lifelike’ Genitalia
Arriving In 2017 Says Expert

They’ll cost upwards of £12,000...

31/10/2016

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/sex-robot-with-fully-functioning-lifelike-genitalia-arriving-in-2017-promises-creator_uk_5817315be4b0672ea68945ba

Thomas Tamblyn Technology editor, HuffPost UK

A robotics expert has predicted that sex robots will reach a whole new realm of realism in 2017.

David Levy claims that this new generation of robot will have ‘human-like’ genitals and will even be able to generate its own body warmth.

Writing in the Daily Mail Levy goes on to explain that a number of different fields in robotics are reaching critical points where sex robots can finally start to achieve many of the aims that their creators have for them.

“With Far Eastern manufacturers already creating machines of astonishingly accurate appearance, the first commercially available sex robots are now expected to go on sale next year.” he writes.

While companies like RealDolls are capable of creating highly detailed, and anatomically correct, models they lack some features which Levy believes will be crucial to the success of the industry.

David McNew via Getty Images

”The next major advance will enable us to use our technology to have intimate encounters with the technology itself – to fall in love with the technology, to have sex with robots and to marry them.” explains Levy.

These missing features, he claims, will be arriving next year and will include the ability to provide its own body warmth as well as using AI to create a voice which can respond to the user.

While it’s difficult for some to imagine a world where sex robots become the norm, Levy argues that this is something that’s simply a matter of time.

David McNew via Getty Images

“I’ve no doubt some will find it creepy, but we can be clear on this: the arrival of sexually responsive robots will have enormous consequences.”

Levy’s argument isn’t entirely without reason, just recently it was revealed that an increasing number of people were turning to AI assistants like Siri and trying to engage in conversations with them of a sexual nature.

Warning Issued Over Super Strain Of Untreatable Gonorrhoea Fuelled By Oral Sex

Warning Issued Over Super Strain Of Untreatable Gonorrhoea Fuelled By Oral Sex

Warning Issued Over Super Strain Of

Untreatable Gonorrhoea Fuelled By Oral Sex

The only way to prevent it is to use condoms.

 07/07/2017 

Natasha Hinde Lifestyle writer at HuffPost UK

Untreatable form of gonorrhoea sparks fears among medical communityOnly one way to prevent it

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/untreatable-gonorrhoea-fuelled-by-oral-sex-warning-world-health-organisation_uk_595f4172e4b0615b9e908dba?c5m

Warning Issued Over Super Strain Of Untreatable Gonorrhoea Fuelled By Oral Sex

The only way to prevent it is to use condoms.

 07/07/2017 

Natasha Hinde  Lifestyle writer at HuffPost UK

WHO collected data from 7

Antibiotic resistance is making gonorrhoea much harder and sometimes impossible to treat, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned.

There have been three untreatable cases of the sexually transmitted infection globally, however experts warn this could rise.

“The bacteria that cause gonorrhoea are particularly smart,” said Dr Teodora Wi, medical officer at the World Health Organisation (WHO).

 “Every time we use a new class of antibiotics to treat the infection, the bacteria evolve to resist them.”

Experts have urged people to use condoms to prevent the spread.

WHO collected data from 77 countries and found a widespread resistance to older and cheaper antibiotics. 

Some countries – particularly high-income ones – are finding cases of the infection that are untreatable by all known antibiotics.

“These cases may just be the tip of the iceberg, since systems to diagnose and report untreatable infections are lacking in lower-income countries where gonorrhoea is actually more common,” said Dr Wi.

An estimated 78 million people are infected with gonorrhoea every year.

The STI can infect the genitals, rectum and throat - the latter of which is particularly concerning to health officials.

Dr Wi told the BBC: “When you use antibiotics to treat infections like a normal sore throat, this mixes with the Neisseria species (bacteria which causes gonorrhoea) in your throat and this results in resistance.”

Therefore transmitting gonorrhoea through oral sex could lead to a super strain of the infection. 

“In the US, resistance [to an antibiotic] came from men having sex with men because of pharyngeal infection,” added Wu.

Decreasing condom use, increased urbanisation and travel, poor infection detection rates and inadequate or failed treatment have all contributed to the increase in the STI’s spread.

Chlamydia

The most common STI in the UK for a multitude of different of reasons. Chlamydia is unfortunately practically symptomless, meaning you could have it for years and not know. It is also one of the easiest diseases to spread amongst sexual partners, so you might not know you’re spreading it all over town. On occasion Chlamydia can cause a burning sensation when passing urine in both men and women but do not rely on this as a sign. The infection is easily treatable, so it’s best to get yourself checked as a local health clinic as soon as possible.

Doctors Fear ‘Super-Gonorrhoea’

Will Become Untreatable As It Spreads Across UK

There were almost 35,000 cases of gonorrhoea in England in 2014.

 17/04/2016 

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/doctors-fear-super-gonorrhoea-will-become-untreatable-as-it-spreads-across-uk_uk_571388fbe4b0636a3f6cbebf

Steven Hopkins Assistant News Editor

A highly drug-resistant type of “super-gonorrhoea” is spreading across Britain, with senior medics warning it may become untreatable.

A powerful strain of the sexually transmitted superbug first seen in the north of England has now been found in the West Midlands and the South East, Public Health England (PHE) said.

The strain is “highly resistant” to the antibiotic azithromycin, meaning medics are relying on a second drug, ceftriaxone, to treat it. But there are no other effective drugs to tackle it, raising the prospect of it becoming untreatable if it builds further resistance.

PHE urged people to use condoms with new or casual partners to cut the risk of catching the disease. If untreated, gonorrhoea can result in severe complications and lead to infertility or septicaemia in rare cases.

A highly drug-resistant type of “super-gonorrhoea” is spreading across the country, senior medics have warned

Dr Gwenda Hughes, head of PHE’s Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) section, said: “Fortunately, the current outbreak strain can still be treated with ceftriaxone.

“Nonetheless, we know that the bacterium that causes gonorrhoea can rapidly develop resistance to other antibiotics that are used for treatment, so we cannot afford to be complacent.

“If strains of gonorrhoea emerge that are resistant to both azithromycin and ceftriaxone treatment options would be limited as there is currently no new antibiotic available to treat the infection.”

PHE said on Sunday there had been 34 confirmed cases since November 2014. Since September 2015, 11 cases have been confirmed in the West Midlands and in the South of England, five of them in London.

At least 16 cases were first detected in northern England, including 12 in Leeds where the mutated strand was first recorded, PHE said in September.

“..The spread of high-level azithromycin-resistant gonorrhoea is a huge concern and it is essential that every effort is made to contain further spread’..”

The strain, which is resistant to first-line antibiotic azithromycin, spread from Leeds to patients in Macclesfield, Oldham and Scunthorpe.

Cases have been found in heterosexual men and women, and men who sleep with men (MSMs), PHE said.

The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV issued an alert to clinicians urging them to follow up cases of high-level drug-resistant gonorrhoea and trace their sexual partners.

Its president, Dr Elizabeth Carlin, told the BBC: “The spread of high-level azithromycin-resistant gonorrhoea is a huge concern and it is essential that every effort is made to contain further spread.

“Failure to respond appropriately will jeopardise our ability to treat gonorrhoea effectively and will lead to poorer health outcomes for individuals and society as a whole.”

There were almost 35,000 cases of gonorrhoea reported in England in 2014 and it is the second most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the UK after chlamydia, with the majority of cases affecting people under the age of 25.

Infected patients may experience discharge or pain while urinating, but around 10% of men and almost half of women do not suffer any symptoms.

Concerns have been growing over “untreatable” strains of gonorrhoea, and in 2012, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control warned that drug-resistant forms of the STI were spreading across Europe.

Chlamydia

The most common STI in the UK for a multitude of different of reasons. Chlamydia is unfortunately practically symptomless, meaning you could have it for years and not know. It is also one of the easiest diseases to spread amongst sexual partners, so you might not know you’re spreading it all over town. On occasion Chlamydia can cause a burning sensation when passing urine in both men and women but do not rely on this as a sign. The infection is easily treatable, so it’s best to get yourself checked as a local health clinic as soon as possible.

Listerine Mouthwash ‘Could Curb The Spread Of Gonorrhoea’

Cases of the STI are on the rise.

 20/12/2016 

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/listerine-mouthwash-stops-spread-of-gonorrhoea-study_uk_5858ff72e4b0acb6e4b8f91f

Listerine mouthwash may prevent gonorrhoea from spreading, new research suggests.

The mouthwash, which is readily available from supermarkets and pharmacies, has been found to curb the growth of the bacteria responsible for gonorrhoea. 

Daily rinsing and gargling with the product might be a cheap and easy way of helping to control the spread of the infection, the researchers said.

They added that new cases of gonorrhoea among men are on the rise in many countries amid declining condom use, with the bulk of cases among gay and bisexual men. 

According to the study, rising rates of gonorrhoea heighten the risk of the emergence of antibiotic resistant strains of Neisseria gonnorhoeae (N gonorrhoeae), the bacteria responsible for the infection.

Because of this, the need for a preventive measure that doesn’t rely on condoms is even more urgent.

As far back as 1879 and before the creation of antibiotics, the manufacturer of Listerine claimed that it could be used to cure gonorrhoea, but no published research previously tested this claim.

In a bid to rectify this, the researchers assessed whether Listerine could curb the growth of N gonorrhoeae in laboratory tests and in sexually active gay and bisexual men in a clinical trial.

For the laboratory tests, different dilutions of Listerine Cool Mint and Total Care, both of which contain 21.6% alcohol, were applied to N gonorrhoeae to see which of any of them might curb growth of the bacteria.

By way of a comparison, a salt water (saline) solution was similarly applied to an identical set of bacteria.

When applied for one minute, the researchers found Listerine dilutions “significantly” reduced the number of N gonorrhoeae bacteria, whereas the saline solution did not.

The clinical trial involved 196 gay and bisexual men who had previously tested positive for gonorrhoea in their mouths and/or throat, and who were returning for treatment at one sexual health clinic in Melbourne, Australia, between May 2015 and February 2016.

Almost a third (58) tested positive for the bacteria in their throat on the return visit.  

Thirty three of these men were randomly assigned to rinse and gargle with Listerineand 25 to rinse and gargle with the saline solution.

After rinsing and gargling for one minute, the proportion of viable gonorrhoea in the throat was 52% among the men using Listerine compared with 84% among those using saline.

The men using Listerine were also 80% less likely to test positive for gonorrhoea in their throat five minutes after gargling than were the men using the saline solution.

The researchers admitted that the monitoring period was short, so the possibility that the effects of the mouthwash might be short-lived can’t be ruled out. But the laboratory test results would suggest otherwise, they said.

A larger trial is currently under way to confirm these results and see whether the use of mouthwash could curb the spread of gonorrhoea. 

The researchers said: “If daily use of mouthwash was shown to reduce the duration of untreated infection and/or reduce the probability of acquisition of N gonorrhoeae, then this readily available, condom-less, and low cost intervention may have very significant public health implications in the control of gonorrhoea.”

The research is published online in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections.

Antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea on the rise, new drugs needed

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2017/Antibiotic-resistant-gonorrhoea/en/

Antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea on the rise, new drugs needed

News release

7 JULY 2017 | GENEVA - Data from 77 countries show that antibiotic resistance is making gonorrhoea – a common sexually-transmitted infection – much harder, and sometimes impossible, to treat.

"The bacteria that cause gonorrhoea are particularly smart. Every time we use a new class of antibiotics to treat the infection, the bacteria evolve to resist them," said Dr Teodora Wi, Medical Officer, Human Reproduction, at WHO.

WHO reports widespread resistance to older and cheaper antibiotics. Some countries – particularly high-income ones, where surveillance is best – are finding cases of the infection that are untreatable by all known antibiotics.

"These cases may just be the tip of the iceberg, since systems to diagnose and report untreatable infections are lacking in lower-income countries where gonorrhoea is actually more common," adds Dr Wi.

Each year, an estimated 78 million people are infected with gonorrhoea*. Gonorrhoea can infect the genitals, rectum, and throat. Complications of gonorrhoea disproportionally affect women, including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility, as well as an increased risk of HIV.

Decreasing condom use, increased urbanization and travel, poor infection detection rates, and inadequate or failed treatment all contribute to this increase.

Monitoring drug resistance

The WHO Global Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (WHO GASP), monitors trends in drug-resistant gonorrhoea. WHO GASP data from 2009 to 2014 find widespread resistance to ciprofloxacin [97% of countries that reported data in that period found drug-resistant strains], increasing resistance to azithromycin [81%], and the emergence of resistance to the current last-resort treatment: the extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs) oral cefixime or injectable ceftriaxone [66%].

Currently, in most countries, ESCs are the only single antibiotic that remain effective for treating gonorrhoea. But resistance to cefixime – and more rarely to ceftriaxone – has now been reported in more than 50 countries. As a result, WHO issued updated global treatment recommendations in 2016 advising doctors to give 2 antibiotics: ceftriaxone and azithromycin.

Development of new drugs

The R&D pipeline for gonorrhoea is relatively empty, with only 3 new candidate drugs in various stages of clinical development: solithromycin, for which a phase III trial has recently been completed; zoliflodacin, which has completed a phase II trial; and gepotidacin, which has also completed a phase II trial.

The development of new antibiotics is not very attractive for commercial pharmaceutical companies. Treatments are taken only for short periods of time (unlike medicines for chronic diseases) and they become less effective as resistance develops, meaning that the supply of new drugs constantly needs to be replenished.

The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) and WHO have launched the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP), a not-for-profit research and development organization, hosted by DNDi, to address this issue. GARDP’s mission is to develop new antibiotic treatments and promote appropriate use, so that they remain effective for as long as possible, while ensuring access for all in need. One of GARDP’s key priorities is the development of new antibiotic treatments for gonorrhoea.

"To address the pressing need for new treatments for gonorrhoea, we urgently need to seize the opportunities we have with existing drugs and candidates in the pipeline. In the short term, we aim to accelerate the development and introduction of at least one of these pipeline drugs, and will evaluate the possible development of combination treatments for public health use," said Dr Manica Balasegaram, GARDP Director. "Any new treatment developed should be accessible to everyone who needs it, while ensuring it’s used appropriately, so that drug resistance is slowed as much as possible."

Gonorrhoea prevention

Gonorrhoea can be prevented through safer sexual behaviour, in particular consistent and correct condom use. Information, education, and communication can promote and enable safer sex practices, improve people’s ability to recognize the symptoms of gonorrhoea and other sexually transmitted infections, and increase the likelihood they will seek care. Today, lack of public awareness, lack of training of health workers, and stigma around sexually transmitted infections remain barriers to greater and more effective use of these interventions.

There are no affordable, rapid, point-of-care diagnostic tests for gonorrhoea. Many people who are infected with gonorrhoea do not have any symptoms, so they go undiagnosed and untreated. On the other hand, however, when patients do have symptoms, such as discharge from the urethra or the vagina, doctors often assume it is gonorrhoea and prescribe antibiotics – even though people may be suffering from another kind of infection. The overall inappropriate use of antibiotics increases the development of antibiotic resistance in gonorrhoea as well as other bacterial diseases.

“To control gonorrhoea, we need new tools and systems for better prevention, treatment, earlier diagnosis, and more complete tracking and reporting of new infections, antibiotic use, resistance and treatment failures,” said Dr Marc Sprenger, Director of Antimicrobial Resistance at WHO. “Specifically, we need new antibiotics, as well as rapid, accurate, point-of-care diagnostic tests – ideally, ones that can predict which antibiotics will work on that particular infection – and longer term, a vaccine to prevent gonorrhoea.”

Notes to editors

This press release is based on two papers included in a special supplement of PLOS Medicine to be published just before the STI & HIV World Congress (http://www.stihivrio2017.com) taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 9–12 July 2017:

Antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Global surveillance and a call for international collaborative action
Lead author: Dr Teodora Wi, WHO, Department of Reproductive Health and Research

Multidrug-resistant gonorrhoea: A research and development roadmap to discover new medicines (PDF)

Lead author: Dr Emilie Alirol, GARDP/DNDi

At the STI & HIV World Congress, WHO will host a session on “Tackling antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Need for a comprehensive and collaborative approach”.

More about gonorrhoea

Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP)

Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance

* Each year, an estimated 35.2 million people are infected in the WHO Western Pacific Region,

11.4 million people in the WHO South-East Asian Region,

11.4 million in the WHO African Region,

11.0 million in the WHO Region of the Americas,

4.7 million in the WHO European Region

and

 4.5 million in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region.

For more information, please contact:

Tarik Jašarević
Communications Officer, WHO
Telephone: +41 22 791 5099
Mobile: +41 793 676 214
Email: jasarevict@who.int

Kimberly Chriscaden
Communications Officer, WHO
Telephone: +41 22 791 2885
Mobile: +41 79 603 1891
Email: chriscadenk@who.int

Ilan Moss
Senior Communications Manager, DNDi (North America)
Telephone: + 1 646 616 8681
Mobile: +1 646 266 5216
Email: imoss@dndi.org

Jo Kuper
DNDi (Geneva)
Telephone: +41 22 907 7721
Mobile: +41 79 128 5241
Email: jkuper@dndi.org

            

Oral sex spreading unstoppable bacteria

By James GallagherHealth and science reporter, BBC News website

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-40520125

Oral sex is producing dangerous gonorrhoea and a decline in condom use is helping it to spread,

 the World Health Organization has said.

It warns that if someone contracts gonorrhoea, it is now much harder to treat, and in some cases impossible.

The sexually transmitted infection is rapidly developing resistance to antibiotics.

Experts said the situation was "fairly grim" with few new drugs on the horizon.

About 78 million people pick up the STI each year and it can cause infertility.

The World Health Organization analysed data from 77 countries which showed gonorrhoea's resistance to antibiotics was widespread.

Dr Teodora Wi, from the WHO, said there had even been three cases - in Japan, France and Spain - where the infection was completely untreatable.

She said: "Gonorrhoea is a very smart bug, every time you introduce a new class of antibiotics to treat gonorrhoea, the bug becomes resistant."

Worryingly, the vast majority of gonorrhoea infections are in poor countries where resistance is harder to detect.

"These cases may just be the tip of the iceberg," she added.

Throat infection

Gonorrhoea can infect the genitals, rectum and throat, but it is the last that is most concerning health officials.

Dr Wi said antibiotics could lead to bacteria in the back of the throat, including relatives of gonorrhoea, developing resistance.

She said: "When you use antibiotics to treat infections like a normal sore throat, this mixes with the Neisseria species in your throat and this results in resistance."

Thrusting gonorrhoea bacteria into this environment through oral sex can lead to super-gonorrhoea.

"In the US, resistance [to an antibiotic] came from men having sex with men because of pharyngeal infection," she added.

A decline in condom use, which had soared because of fears of HIV/Aids, is thought to help the infection spread.

What is gonorrhoea?

The disease is caused by the bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoea.

The infection is spread by unprotected vaginal, oral and anal sex.

Symptoms can include a thick green or yellow discharge from sexual organs, pain when urinating and bleeding between periods.

However, of those infected, about one in 10 heterosexual men and more than three-quarters of women, and gay men, have no easily recognisable symptoms.

Untreated infection can lead to infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease and can be passed on to a child during pregnancy.

The World Health Organization is calling on countries to monitor the spread of resistant gonorrhoea and to invest in new drugs.

BBC Radio 1 - Myth-busting STIs

Pubic hair grooming 'STI risk from cuts'

Dr Manica Balasegaram, from the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership, said: "The situation is fairly grim.

"There are only three drug candidates in the entire drug [development] pipeline and no guarantee any will make it out."

But ultimately, the WHO said vaccines would be needed to stop gonorrhoea.

Prof Richard Stabler, from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said: "Ever since the introduction of penicillin, hailed as a reliable and quick cure, gonorrhoea has developed resistance to all therapeutic antibiotics.

"In the past 15 years therapy has had to change three times following increasing rates of resistance worldwide.

"We are now at a point where we are using the drugs of last resort, but there are worrying signs as treatment failure due to resistant strains has been documented."

Follow James on Twitter.

            

Pubic hair grooming 'STI risk linked to skin tears'

6 December 2016

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-38207594

Women and men who regularly trim or remove all their pubic hair run a greater risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) than those who do not, research suggests.

Doctors say small tears in the skin from shaving or trimming could make it easier for infections to take hold.

But they also say groomers - particularly extreme ones - tend to be more sexually active too.

STIs are passed on through unprotected sex or genital contact.

The findings come from a survey of more than 7,500 American adults, published in Sexually Transmitted Infections - a specialist BMJ journal.

The report, led by doctors from the University of California, San Francisco, said the two most likely explanations for the link between grooming and STIs were micro-tears in the skin, which increased the risk of viral STIs, and groomers being more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour with more sexual partners.

Extreme cut

An electric razor was the most common tool used for pubic grooming among men, while a manual razor was more common among women.

About one in five men and women used scissors.

The researchers said it was unlikely that sharing grooming tools was an issue, because traces of the most common STIs had not been found on objects before.

But they did say doctors should advise groomers to cut back a little on their grooming or put off having sex until the skin had healed completely.

Almost three-quarters of respondents said they had groomed their pubic hair before, with 84% of women and 66% of men saying they had trimmed, shaved or waxed in the past.

Among the groomers, 17% described themselves as "extreme" - removing all hair at least once a month - and 22% as "high frequency" - trimming daily or weekly.

Lice protection

In the survey, any type of grooming was linked to an increased risk of having a sexually transmitted infection. And the more frequent and extreme the grooming, the greater the risk.

Those with the most extreme habits were three to four times more likely to contract an STI, particularly infections from skin to skin contact such as herpes and HPV (human papillomavirus).

But there was good news for groomers too - because their habit was found to protect against pubic lice.

The report said: "If grooming is found to protect against lice, individuals at risk for pubic lice could be counselled to remove their pubic hair."

What are STIs?

Examples are gonnorhea, herpes, syphilis and genital warts

The most common STI is chlamydia, which is easily passed on during sex

Young heterosexuals under 25 and men who have sex with men are most affected by STIs

Most sexually transmitted infections can be treated, and it is best if treatment starts as soon as possible

How to reduce the risk?

Use condoms regularly and correctly

Get tested at a sexual health clinic, a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic or at your GP surgery

Tell your partner if you have an STI, to avoid spread of infection

For more advice, see the sexual health charity FPA's website

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3bH1D30QZqKnrl31zsHyVm9/mythbuster-stis

LIFESTYLE

Interactive Gonorrhoea Map Reveals STI Hotspots Across The UK

It’s not good news for Londoners.

 22/04/2016

Natasha Hinde  Lifestyle writer at HuffPost UK

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/gonorrhoea-map-reveals-the-worst-areas-affected-by-the-sti_uk_5719dad1e4b0727e4fe746c4

After experts warned that a super resistant strain of gonorrhoea could sweep the nation, one health company has created an interactive map showing the growth of STIs in adults over the past three years. 

The map reveals that across all areas of England, gonorrhoea diagnoses have risen, with London seeing the biggest spike in new cases.

Gonorrhoea is an STI caused by bacteria found in discharge from the penis and in vaginal fluid. It is spread through unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex, as well as sharing unwashed vibrators and sex toys.

Using data from Public Health England , euroClinix have created an interactive map showing the diagnose rates of people aged 45 and over for STIs including gonorrhoea, genital herpes, syphilis, genital warts and chlamydia.

euroclinix.net/en

Click on a region and you will see which STIs have increased. 

According to the NHS, typical symptoms of gonorrhoea include a thick green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis, pain when urinating and (in women) bleeding between periods.

However it’s also important to note that around one in 10 infected men and almost half of infected women don’t experience any symptoms at all.

The map shows that, overall, London has seen the highest growth in STI diagnoses, followed by the East Midlands. Meanwhile the West Midlands has the lowest number of diagnoses, followed by the North East.  

Earlier this week, doctors warned of a drug-resistant type of “super-gonorrhoea” which is spreading across Britain. 

Senior medics believe it may become untreatable.

The powerful strain of the sexually transmitted superbug was first seen in the north of England, but has since been found in the West Midlands and the South East, Public Health England (PHE) said.

The strain is “highly resistant” to the antibiotic azithromycin, meaning medics are relying on a second drug, ceftriaxone, to treat it.

But there are no other effective drugs to tackle it, raising the prospect of it becoming untreatable if it builds further resistance.

To avoid catching STIs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea, experts recommend using condoms during sex and avoiding sharing sex toys.

                                                                                                                                          

Health

Contraception fails in quarter of abortions, say experts

7 July 2017

 

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-40520235

One in four women who had an abortion in 2016 were using the most reliable methods of contraception, says the British Pregnancy Advisory Service.

More than 14,000 women, who were treated at BPAS clinics, became pregnant despite using the pill or a long-acting contraceptive.

They often spotted their pregnancy late because they hadn't expected their contraception to fail.

No method of contraception can ever be 100% effective.

But long-acting reversible methods are said to have a very low failure rate (99% effective).

Oral contraceptive pills are by far the most popular way of protecting against unplanned pregnancy among women, but long-acting methods - known as Larcs - are catching up.

They include contraceptive injections, implants and intra-uterine devices (IUDs) or systems (IUSs).

Contraceptive pills are estimated to be 91% effective while condoms are 82% effective when used typically.

However, BPAS says unplanned pregnancies can occur if the method is not inserted properly, or if it moves or falls out.

It also says hormonal contraception, such as the pill or patch, can mask the symptoms of pregnancy because they may cause light or irregular periods.

This may be why women using these methods have abortions at a later stage than other women.

BPAS said that in 2015, more than 5% of women having abortions past 20 weeks were using Larcs, compared to around 3% of those having one at less than 19 weeks.

The legal limit for abortions is 24 weeks in England, Wales and Scotland.

 Women in Northern Ireland are now able to get free abortions in England.

What contraception do women use?

45% use oral contraceptive pills

15% use an implant

14% use male condoms

14% use an intra-uterine device (IUD) or intra-uterine system (IUS)

9% use an injectable contraceptive

Further information: NHS contraception guide

Ann Furedi, chief executive of BPAS, said: Our data shows that women cannot control their fertility through contraception alone, even when they are using some of the most effective methods.

"Family planning is contraception and abortion.

"Abortion is birth control that women need when their regular method lets them down."

Out of 60,000 women who had an abortion at BPAS clinics last year, more than half were using at least one form of contraception.

The total number of abortions in England and Wales has been around 185,500 during each of the last few years.

Every year, nine in every 100 women using the pill, six in every 100 using the injection and one in every 100 using the IUD become pregnant.

Abortions are only allowed in Northern Ireland if a woman's life is at risk or there is a permanent or serious risk to her physical or mental health.

The sexual health charity FPA said people did not always use contraception consistently or correctly.

It also said some of the most effective methods of contraception were not always made as available as they should be.

"In a survey of GPs, we found that one-fifth don't offer the intrauterine device (IUD), and almost a quarter said they don't offer the contraceptive implant," the FPA said.

GPs told the FPA that this was partly because of a lack of training qualifications and a lack of funding.

But NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) guidance suggests that long-acting methods of contraception can reduce unintended pregnancy and be cost-effective for the NHS.

LIFESTYLE

Interactive Gonorrhoea Map Reveals STI Hotspots Across The UK

It’s not good news for Londoners.

 22/04/2016 

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/gonorrhoea-map-reveals-the-worst-areas-affected-by-the-sti_uk_5719dad1e4b0727e4fe746c4

Natasha Hinde  Lifestyle writer at HuffPost UK

After experts warned that a super resistant strain of gonorrhoea could sweep the nation, one health company has created an interactive map showing the growth of STIs in adults over the past three years. 

The map reveals that across all areas of England, gonorrhoea diagnoses have risen, with London seeing the biggest spike in new cases.

Gonorrhoea is an STI caused by bacteria found in discharge from the penis and in vaginal fluid. It is spread through unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex, as well as sharing unwashed vibrators and sex toys.

Using data from Public Health England , euroClinix have created an interactive map showing the diagnose rates of people aged 45 and over for STIs including gonorrhoea, genital herpes, syphilis, genital warts and chlamydia.

euroclinix.net/en

Click on a region and you will see which STIs have increased. 

According to the NHS, typical symptoms of gonorrhoea include a thick green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis, pain when urinating and (in women) bleeding between periods.

However it’s also important to note that around one in 10 infected men and almost half of infected women don’t experience any symptoms at all.

The map shows that, overall, London has seen the highest growth in STI diagnoses, followed by the East Midlands. Meanwhile the West Midlands has the lowest number of diagnoses, followed by the North East.  

Earlier this week, doctors warned of a drug-resistant type of “super-gonorrhoea” which is spreading across Britain. 

Senior medics believe it may become untreatable.

The powerful strain of the sexually transmitted superbug was first seen in the north of England, but has since been found in the West Midlands and the South East, Public Health England (PHE) said.

The strain is “highly resistant” to the antibiotic azithromycin, meaning medics are relying on a second drug, ceftriaxone, to treat it.

But there are no other effective drugs to tackle it, raising the prospect of it becoming untreatable if it builds further resistance.

To avoid catching STIs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea, experts recommend using condoms during sex and avoiding sharing sex toys.

LIFESTYLE
Online Calculator Reveals The Amount Of People You’ve ‘Indirectly’ Had Sex With And Your STI Risk
The average Brit has ‘indirectly’ had sex with 597,870 people.
September 2016


http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/calculator-how-many-people-indirectly-had-sex-with_uk_57075a69e4b00c769e2d963d


Rachel Moss  Lifestyle Writer at HuffPost UK.
The amount of people you’ve had sexual contact with with could be a lot higher than you think.
A new online tool reveals the amount of people you’ve “indirectly had sex with”, then calculates your STI risk.
The tool, created by online doctor service Dr Felix, follows on from a similar tool created by the company Dr Ed.
- ADVERTISEMENT -
Both tools are based on the theory of the six degrees of separation - the idea that everyone is six or fewer steps away from any other person in the world.
For example, if you and your current partner have each had nine partners (the UK average), then you have supposedly been sexually exposed to 597,870 people. 
That’s the entire population of Belfast.
According to the Dr Felix tool, these figures would give you a 6.11% chance of catching chlamydia and a 10.33% chance of contracting gonorrhoea. 
“We carried out extensive research to gather accurate statistics for four of the most common sexually transmitted infections, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and tichomoniasis alongside other common STDs like the herpes virus, human papilloma virus (HPV), HIV and hepatitis B,” the Dr Felix website reads. 
Try the tool out for yourself below or visit the Dr Felix site: