CHO: Watch out guys ‘Tulo’ cases on the rise

By Jason B. Neola

The Social Hygiene Clinic of the Naga City Health Office (CHO) has warned the public of the rising cases of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, commonly known as “tulo,” with 16 new cases recorded in the city for the first four months of 2021.

Last year, CHO’s medical technologist Grace Guevara said that the clinic had recorded more than 64 cases of the sexually transmitted infection (STI).

On human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), an updated report from the CHO said that it recorded a total of 17 cases since January up to the first week of May, 2021.

Guevara also warned the public against syphilis, also a bacterial infection usually spread by sexual contact. The disease, whichv can also be passed from mothers to unborn children, starts as a painless sore — typically on genitals, rectum or mouth. Syphilis spreads from person to person via skin or mucous membrane contact with these sores.

As to gonorrhea, Guevara said the bacterial infection affects the genital tract of men who usually experiences pain in urinating, pus-like discharge from the tip of the penis and pain or swelling in one testicle.

Signs and symptoms of gonorrhea infection in women include: increased vaginal discharge, painful urination, vaginal bleeding between periods, and abdominal or pelvic pain.

“Some 90 percent of men suffering from the infection are symptomatic while 90 percent of women with gonorrhea are asymptomatic,” Guevara said. She advised that a man who needs to see a doctor for gonorrhea should bring with him his asymptomatic female partner or wife for their thorough and complete treatment.

Guevara warned patients from engaging in self-medication or taking antibiotics without a doctor’s advice or prescription. “Many patients came in here for a test and treatment due to prolonged period of infection despite having taken antibiotics for several weeks,” she said.