There are cases of gonorrhea that are resistant to first-line treatments. Data from 2006-2014 shows an initial rise in resistance to cefixime, the primary treatment drug, peaking at 1.4% in 2011. After 2011, cases dropped to a low of 0.4% of cases in 2013. The latest reports show a new increase to 0.8% of all cases for in 2014. Data for 2015 is pending.

What does resistant mean, in any of these cases? First, less than 1% of all cases of gonorrhea are resistant to first-line treatments of cefixime and ceftriaxone. Second, drug-resistant gonorrhea is not, as is popularly assumed, "untreatable" or “incurable.” However, these cases are harder to cure, often requiring more rounds and different types of antibiotics. There have been three confirmed cases of such resistance, all treated with spectinomycin. The UK government urges vigilance to test and treat such cases.

Condoms provide good protection against STIs. Some people use them. Some people sometimes use them. Some people never use them. Sometimes people forget that gonorrhea can be transmitted through oral sex.

If you are sexually active, it is important to be tested regularly for STIs, regardless of whether or how often you use condoms. If you are diagnosed with an STI, it is vital that you follow through with the complete round of treatment. That holds true if you always, never, or sometimes use a condom but still wound up infected with an STI, resistant or not, gonorrhea or something else.