Increase in sexually transmitted infections in the South West – rise in cases of gonorrhoea concerning

UKHSA is reminding everyone having sex with new or casual partners to wear a condom and get tested regularly – whatever their age or sexual orientation.

New UKHSA data shows numbers of new STI diagnoses in 2022 in the South West increased by 33% in comparison with 2021 (from 21,017 to 27,932). However, this is a 21.5% decline compared with the numbers seen 5 years ago (35,590 in 2018 to 27,932 in 2022).

The rise in STIs follows a decline in diagnoses during the coronavirus pandemic because of disruption to sexual health services and changes in behaviour which may have reduced transmission.

Most STIs are easily treated with antibiotics, but many can cause serious health issues if left untreated. Chlamydia and gonorrhoea can cause infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease, while syphilis can cause serious, irreversible and potentially life-threatening problems with your brain, heart, or nerves.

Infection rates for gonorrhoea in the South West are of particular concern. Diagnoses of gonorrhoea rose by 166% between 2021 (1575) and 2022 (4185) and 67% over the past 5 years (2499 in 2018 to 4,494 in 2022).

Cases of syphilis increased by 32% between 2021 (262) and 2022 (347) with a 13% decrease over the past 5 years (400 cases in 2018 to 347 in 2022).

While the increase in gonorrhoea and syphilis diagnoses will in part be due to increases in testing, the scale of the increase in diagnoses strongly suggests high levels of STI transmission within the population.

Norah O’Brien, Sexual Health Facilitator for UKHSA South West said:

“The rise in sexually transmitted infections, particularly gonorrhoea in the South West is concerning. Gonorrhoea is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics and at risk of becoming untreatable in the future, making it vital that people test early and diagnose the infection so that they can prevent passing it on.

“STIs can pose serious consequences to health – both your own and that of current and future sexual partners. No matter what age you are, if you are having condomless sex with new or casual partners, regular testing for STIs and HIV is essential to maintain good sexual health. Testing is free and confidential and can be accessed through local sexual health clinics, university and college medical centres or through self-sampling kits sent discreetly through the post.”

Across all new STIs diagnosed in the South West, young people are disproportionately affected with 55% of new STIs diagnosed in 2022 in those aged 15 to 24.

Individuals with an STI may not realise they have one because these infections are often symptomless. This means people can easily contract an STI or pass one on without knowing it and should take up the offer of STI screening, regardless of whether they show symptoms, if they have had sex with a new or casual partner without using a condom.

Regular screening for STIs and HIV, on at least an annual basis, is essential to maintain good sexual health for everyone having condomless sex with new or casual partners. In addition:

• women, and other people with a womb and ovaries, aged under 25 years who are sexually active should have a chlamydia test after having sex with a new partner or annually
• gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men should have tests for HIV and STIs annually or every 3 months if having condomless sex with new or casual partners.

For more information about STIs, please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sexually-transmitted-infections-stis/