At lease one STD is going around Sioux Falls. We talked to Dr. Kimblerlee McKay an OB/GYN at the Main McGreevy Clinic Avera and she says she is seeing more and more patients with gonorrhea.  

Dr. Kimberlee McKay says, "It's a sexually transmitted disease and since my patient base is primarily females, I have been seeing more women with it. It's treated with antibiotics and is prevented by using protection."

Dr. McKay says she has seen it in patients ages 17 to 27 but really no age is off limits. And just because you've been cured of gonorrhea doesn't mean you won't get it again.

Dr. McKay says, "it's something that can be prevented. I can't stress that enough. If you are going to have a new sexual partner make sure both of you are tested before engaging in intercourse or if there is any question you should always use condoms."

The best prevention is abstinence.

Dr. McKay says, "Women often have no symptoms. They may notice an abnormal discharge or cramping. Men will have a discharge as well. The long term consequences can be infertility so getting treated is extremely important."

Dr. McKay says gonorrhea and chlamydia are both similar STDs. Both are bacterial infections treated with antibiotics. Both do essentially the same thing. Dr. McKay says gonorrhea is a little more uncommon and since there aren't a lot of symptoms it's a good idea to get tested.