Urgent warning as cases of Victorian STIs reach ‘record levels’ – the 6 signs to know

GONORRHOEA cases are at their highest level on record, official figures show.

Infections surged 50 per cent to 82,592 in England last year, according to UK Health Security Agency data.

Syphilis cases also jumped by more than 15 per cent during the year to 8,692, their highest level since 1948.

Health bosses are warning Brits with new or casual partners to use condoms and get tested regularly.

Dr Hamish Mohammed, of the UKHSA, said: “We saw more gonorrhoea diagnoses in 2022 than ever before, with large rises, particularly in young people. 

“STIs aren’t just an inconvenience — they can have a major impact on your health and that of any sexual partners. 

“Condoms are the best defence, but if you didn’t use one the last time you had sex with a new or casual partner, get tested to detect any potential infections early and prevent passing them on to others. 

“Testing is important because you may not have any symptoms of an STI.”

There were nearly 2.2million sexual health tests for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis or HIV in 2022.

It was up nearly 13.4 per cent compared to 2021.

While the surge in syphilis and gonorrhoea cases is in part caused by an increase in tests, the scale of the increase suggests there are more infections in the population, the UKHSA said.

Experts are concerned about antibiotic resistance in gonorrhoea, which is making it harder to treat and prevent infections.

The STI causes a burning sensation when you pee, and can also lead to green or yellow fluid coming out your penis or discharge in a vagina.

Syphilis — which was more common in Victorian Britain — can cause sores around your genitals or anus, as well as around the mouth or lips.

The disease can also cause white or grey warty growths, as well as a rash that can spread across the whole body.

Both diseases are normally treated with antibiotics but can cause serious health problems if left untreated.

Dr John White, NHS sexual health consultant and medical director at Preventx, said: "With many STIs on the rise, it's vital that everyone who is sexually active gets tested.

"Regular testing not only helps individuals receive treatment, but it also protects the wider community by reducing onward transmission.

"High prevalence of STIs makes it crucial that we have fully funded sexual health services." 

Richard Angell, of the Terrence Higgins Trust, said: "Today’s significant rise in sexually transmitted infections is a worrying testament to the fact that there is no vision or ambition for improving sexual health in England.

"We’ve seen cuts where we need to see investment.

"This has reduced our sexual health services to a minimal disease management process. This cannot continue.

"If this were any other set of health conditions, there would be outcry and we’d see rapid action and much needed funding.”

He added: “Testing rates remain lower than pre-Covid, but the number of STIs being diagnosed are exceeding the high levels reported before the pandemic.

"In 2022, more than 1,000 STIs were diagnosed on average every day.

"Two years of social distancing resulted in a small drop in transmission rates but numbers are surging again because sexual health services and public health budgets have been cut to the bone."

The 6 signs of gonorrhoea

1. Painful to urinate

Both men and women who have contracted gonorrhoea may find it painful to pass urine.

In most people it takes a couple of weeks for symptoms to emerge although it can take a few months longer in some cases.

Men and women are likely to feel a burning sensation when peeing.

2. Discharge

While symptoms vary from person to person, both men and women may experience discharge.

In women this is likely to be watery or off colour vaginal discharge.

Men could experience discharge from the penis, this could be white, yellow or green.

3. Stomach pains

This is a symptom that is just present in females and is a more unusual side effect of gonorrhoea.

The NHS states that women who have the infection may experience a pain or tenderness in the lower abdominal area.

4. Disruption to your cycle

Again, another symptom found just in women is a disruption to your menstrual cycle.

This could mean that your bleeding becomes heavier, or you could start to bleed between periods.

The NHS states that you could also bleed after sex, but said this is less common.

5. Inflammation

This symptom is seen only in men and can be uncomfortable.

The NHS states that men who have contracted gonorrhoea may experience swelling or inflammation of the foreskin.

6. Tenderness

Men may also experience pain or tenderness in the testicle.

The NHS says that this is a rare symptom in men.