Men who have sex with men represented nearly half of all cases of gonorrhoea in the UK in 2018
STIs cases have increased year on year in the UK with gonorrhoea increasing by 249 per cent in 10 years
By Steve Brown
Words: Steve Brown
Gonorrhoea diagnoses in the UK have increased by 249 per cent over a ten year period.
New data issued by Public Health England shows STI cases have increased overall by five per cent last year compared to the year before and in 2018, nearly a quarter of a million people in the UK were diagnosed with an STI.
For men who have sex with men (MSM), they represented nearly half of all cases of gonorrhoea in 2018 and since 2009, the number of people diagnosed with the STI has increased by 249 per cent.
MSM also represented the majority of new cases of syphilis with 75 per cent of all diagnoses being from men.
Cases of syphilis also has increased year on year and over the ten year period, the figure rose by 165 per cent.
Chlamydia was the most commonly diagnosed STI and accounted for nearly half of new STI diagnoses and affected 15 to 24 year olds.
Dr Gwenda Hughes, head of STI Surveillance at PHE, said: “No matter what age you are, or what type of relationship you are in, it’s important to look after your sexual health.
“If you have sex with a new or casual partner, make sure you use condoms and get regularly tested.”