Introduction and objective:
Sexually transmitted infections are a serious public health problem worldwide, negatively affect the quality of life and cause serious diseases. More than a million sexually transmitted diseases are acquired every day. Despite the high incidence of sexually transmitted diseases, these diseases still remain a neglected area for prevention programmes, diagnostic tests and appropriate treatment. The aim of the study is presentation of the problems associated with Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections

Current state of knowledge:
One of the most common sexually transmitted diseases is gonorrhea, caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Uncomplicated gonococcal infection often manifests as urethritis in men and can cause mucopurulent cervicitis in women. Infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae has a direct effect in facilitating transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Gonorrhea can be cured; however, the pathogen causing the disease produces many mechanisms of resistance to antibiotics, which may be associated with treatment failure. In 2008, the incidence of gonorrhea in Poland was 0.5 per 100,000 population, and this value is over 50 times lower for the same period, compared to the whole of Europe.

Conclusions:
Epidemiological data may indicate an underestimation of the cases of gonorrhea in Poland. The data collected by Polish State institutions indicate that the problem of prevention and diagnosis of diseases transmitted through sexual contact is underfunded.