A government agency is urging people to get tested for STIs, after official figures revealed cases of gonorrhoea in England have hit record highs.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned cases are up by 21% on 2019, previously the highest year for infection rates.
Between January and September 2022, 56,327 cases were logged across the country, compared to 46,541 recorded in the same period in 2019.
The data also indicates that gonorrhoea spread faster over the first nine months of 2022 than over the same period in the last three years.
Dr Claire Dewsnap, president of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, described the spike as an ‘important reminder of the importance of testing for STIs,’ and called on anyone with new or multiple sexual partners to do so at least once a year.
The UKHSA claim the rise is largely driven by the 15 to 24 demographic, ‘due to more frequent changes in sexual partners’ after pandemic restrictions ended.
Gonorrhoea is of particular concern, as although it can be easily treated with an antibiotic injection, it’s often symptomless, and without treatment it can spread to other parts of the body.
If it’s not dealt with, it can cause conditions like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and affect fertility.
Additionally, antibiotic-resistant strains of the infection – caused by the bacteria neisseria gonorrhoeae or gonococcus – have been identified in growing numbers.
So-called super gonorrhoea does not respond to traditional treatment, meaning condom use and regular testing are especially important to detect issues early.
Gonorrhoea – the facts
Gonorrhoea is the second most common bacterial STI in the UK after chlamydia. It’s sometimes known colloquially as ‘the clap’.
The infection is spread through unprotected unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex, or sharing sex toys that have not been washed or covered with a new condom each time they’re used.
It can affect the cervix, urethra, rectum, and sometimes the throat or eyes, and can be passed from a pregnant person to their baby.
Symptoms include:
- Thick green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis
- Pain when peeing
- Bleeding between periods in women
However, around 1 in 10 infected men and almost half of infected women do not experience any symptoms, so it’s important to get regularly tested if you’re sexually active.
Gonorrhoea is easily treated via an antibiotic injection, but possible complications if it’s left untreated include pelvic or testicular pain, ectopic pregnancy and infertility.
The more times you have gonorrhoea, the more likely you are to have complications, and in rare cases (when untreated) it can spread through the bloodstream causing sepsis.
For more information, visit NHS Choices or call the National Sexual Health Helpline on 0300 123 7123.
Dr Katy Sinka, consultant epidemiologist and head of the STI section at the UKHSA, said: ‘Condoms aren’t just about preventing unwanted pregnancy; they are the main defence against STIs.
‘If you have had condomless sex with a new or casual partner, it is even more important to get tested to detect any potential infections early and prevent passing them on to others.’
She added: ‘You can get free condoms at your local sexual health clinic and if you’re under 25, you can also get them online.’
If you’re worried you have an STI or want to book in for routine testing, you can find your local sexual health clinic via the NHS website.
Alternatively, the Sexual Health UK site can show you if free home testing kits are available in your area.
The test itself is simple and painless; either a swab of discharge or a urine test. It’s also free and confidential on the NHS, so there’s no reason not to get checked.
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
MORE : Globetrotting couple hits 1,500 airport goal on ‘magical’ trip to Sahara
MORE : How I Do It: ‘I’m a transmasculine dom – I met my partner at a BDSM picnic’
var notifyQ = function () { var i = 0, l = awaitingReady.length; for (i = 0; i < l; i++) { awaitingReady[i](); } }; var ready = function (cb) { if (fbApiInit) { cb(); } else { awaitingReady.push(cb); } }; var checkLoaded = function () { return fbApiInit; }; window.fbAsyncInit = function () { FB.init({ appId: '176908729004638', xfbml: true, version: 'v2.10' }); fbApiInit = true; notifyQ(); }; return { 'ready' : ready, 'loaded' : checkLoaded }; })(); (function () { function injectFBSDK() { if ( window.fbApi && window.fbApi.loaded() ) return; var d = document, s="script", id = 'facebook-jssdk'; var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) { return; } js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.async = true; js.src = "https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); } if (window.metro) { window.addEventListener('scroll', injectFBSDK, {once: true, passive: true}); } else { window.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', injectFBSDK, {once: true}); } })();
For all the latest Lifestyle News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
