Gonorrhea cases majorly on the rise: Here’s what you need to know

The number of sexually transmitted infections grew by 10 per cent in 2016, according to the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre, and gonorrhea saw one one the biggest spikes.

If you don't already have a semi-friendly relationship with the nurse at your local free clinic, now would be the time to get yourself checked if you have any suspicions that there might be some odd behaviour happening in your nether regions. 

Luckily, gonorrhea is one of the more treatable STIs out there, so if you have contracted the ailment, it wont be forever. 

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection that can be treated and cured with specific antibiotics, according to the HSE. 

However, you can have gonorrhea for an extended period of time and not show any symptoms.

When the symptoms do arrive, they can include a slightly unsavoury yellowish or greenish-white discharge, itching around the front or back passage, and burning or pain when peeing. Ouch. 

The illness can also be marked by soreness or redness in the throat, and be accompanied by eye infections such as a discharge or red eye.

Women can also suffer with stomach pain brought on by the disease. 

The only way to protect yourself from the STI is to use condoms during every sexual encounter and never share sex toys with anyone (not that we'd make a habit of it).

If you think you might be a card-carrying member of the G club, or think that you may have contracted any kind of sexually transmitted infection, it's important to get it checked ASAP to avoid passing it to others or creating complications in your sexual health further down the line.