Syphilis and Gonorrhoea Hit Record Levels In England

England is seeing record high levels of gonorrhoea and syphilis sexually transmitted infections, following a dip during COVID-19 years, new figures reveal.

People are being urged to practice safe s3x to protect themselves and get tested if they may be at risk.

There were 82,592 cases of gonorrhoea in 2022 – up 50% on the 54,661 recorded the year before, the UK Health Security Agency says.

Syphilis cases increased by 15% from 7,543 to 8,692.

The age group most likely to be diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) is people who are 15-24.

Some of the rise will be due to increased testing, but the scale of the surge strongly suggests that there are more of the infections around, says the UKHSA.

Condoms are “the best line of defence” it advises.

The figures show:

There were 2,195,909 sexual health screens or tests carried out – 13% more than in the previous year

Chlamydia was the most commonly diagnosed STI overall, with 199,233 cases recorded

Syphilis cases reached the highest in any given year since 1948

Gonorrhoea numbers were the highest since annual records began in 1918

Dr Hamish Mohammed from the UKHSA said: “STIs aren’t just an inconvenience – they can have a major impact on your health and that of any sexual partners.

"Condoms are the best defence, but if you didn’t use one the last time you had sex with a new or casual partner, get tested to detect any potential infections early and prevent passing them on to others. Testing is important because you may not have any symptoms of an STI.”