New study shows ongoing threat posed by STIs in England

Public Health England has issued a report showing the dangers that sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) continue to pose to at-risk groups.

There were 446,253 STIs diagnosed in England in 2013, according to new official figures. This total remained close to the 448,775 total recorded in 2012. Chlamydia was the most common, making up 47 percent of all diagnoses, while gonorrhoea diagnoses saw a rise of 15 percent.

Among heterosexuals diagnosed in genitourinary medicine clinics in 2013, young people between the ages of 15 to 24 experienced the highest STI rates, making up more than half of all chlamydia, genital warts and gonorrhoea cases in this category.

Meanwhile, gay men were also disproportionately affected, accounting for 81 percent of syphilis cases and 63 percent of instances of gonorrhoea among male clinic attendees.

Dr Catherine Lowndes, consultant scientist in Public Health England's STI surveillance team, said: "Investment in promoting good sexual health awareness, contraception and condom use, and STI testing is vital, as is ongoing investment in easy to access sexual health services that meet the needs of local populations."

People of both genders are advised to get checked for an STI if they experience symptoms such as pain when urinating, itching, burning or visible sores around the genitals, or evidence of black powder or tiny white dots in underwear, as these can be caused by pubic lice.