Stark increase in cases of syphilis and gonorrhea in the UK

Public Health England has reported an increase in cases of syphilis from 5,955 to 7,137 in 2017, and a 22 percent rise in cases of gonorrhea. There is clearly a need to communicate the importance of using condoms, especially to the younger generation, as the highest rate of diagnoses for all STI’s is still in 16 to 24 year olds. 78% percent of diagnoses are in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM).
Debbie Laycock, head of Policy and Engagement at Terrence Higgins Trust said the number “remains worryingly high against a backdrop of damaging cuts to sexual health services. Our sexual health services are stretched too thinly and demand outweighs availability, with more cuts already planned. There is a small decline in chlamydia diagnoses, but this isn’t good news as there’s also been an 8 percent decline in testing for chlamydia. Most worryingly, that includes a 61 percent drop in chlamydia testing in sexual and reproductive health services in just two years. The Terrence Higgins Trust is calling on local authorities and government to face up to what’s happening, urgently work together and ensure sexual health services are properly funded to meet local demand.”