05 June 2018

Published data reveals massive increase in Gonorrhea and Syphilis in England

Commenting on this data, Dr Patrick French, Consultant in Sexual Health, The Mortimer Market Centre, CNWL, said: "The most recent sexually transmitted infection data were published by Public Health England (PHE) today and reveals a massive increase in both gonorrhoea and syphilis in England.

"Levels of gonorrhoea increased by 22% in 2017 compared to the previous year, with a total of 44,676 new diagnoses being made. Syphilis rates increased by 20% compared to 2016, with 7,137 new cases identified. Syphilis rates have increased by 148% since 2008 and are now at their highest levels since the Second World War.

"Both these infections have serious consequences if left untreated and are often present without symptoms so anyone who feels that they may be at risk of an STI should get a check-up. It's easy to do - check out https://www.sexualhealth.cnwl.nhs.uk/ for details.

"The sexual health services of CNWL are in the front-line in the fight to control STIs and many of these diagnoses were made at our clinics in north London and Surrey. These figures show the need to re-double efforts to prevent STIs, encourage more people to test for STIs and improve access for prompt STI testing."

Editors' notes

The data can be found on this link:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/713429/hpr2018_AA_STIs_v2.pdf

The attached photo is of Dr French.

For more details:

Contact Senior Communications Officer Jeremy Dunning on 0203 214 5756 or emailjeremy.dunning@nhs.net

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Stephenson House, 75 Hampstead Road, London NW1 2PL
Tel: 020 3214 5756 e-mail:communications.cnwl@nhs.net