How to spot the telltale signs of the 2 nasty STIs surging through the UK as cases at all-time high
A GP has revealed key signs of two nasty STIs to look out for as cases in the UK reach all time highs.
Being able to spot the signs in yourself or a partner could help you avoid uncomfortable and painful symptoms – as well as long term health problems down the line.
The UK has been hit by a recent surge in cases of the medieval disease syphilis, as well as a strain of drug resistant “super gonorrhoea” that could could one day become “untreatable”.
Diagnoses of infectious syphilis in England shot up by almost 10 per cent between 2022 and 2023, from 8,693 to 9,513.
Another 3,075 people where diagnosed with asymptomatic infections and syphilis complications, according to a UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) report published last year.
In that time period, cases among heterosexual people increased at a much higher rate than in LGBTQ+ people, the report added – surging by 29 per cent in straight women and 17 per cent among straight men.
As for gonorrhoea, over 85,000 cases were reported in England throughout 2023 – the highest number since records began in 1918.
In August 2024, UKHSA sounded the alarm over a strain of the STI that was resistant to common antibiotics and thus “harder to treat”.
Fifteen cases of the drug-resistant super gonorrhoea were reported in England between 2022 and 2024, most of them among straight people in their 20s and five of them deemed to be “extensively drug-resistant”.
Dr Helen Fifer, consultant microbiologist at UKHSA, said at the time: “Gonorrhoea is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics, risking the possibility of it becoming untreatable in the future.
“Untreated gonorrhoea can lead to serious health issues, including pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.”
Syphilis can also cause serious health issues in the long term if left untreated, such as heart, brain and nerve problems.
Dr Donald Grant, GP and senior clinical advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, said: “Understanding the tell-tale signs of these common STIs can ensure people receive the correct treatment and avoid further illness or damage to their health.”
Gonorrhoea symptoms
Dr Grant said: “After chlamydia, gonorrhoea – also known as ‘the clap’ – is the second most transmitted STI in the UK.
“This STI can be spread through several ways, including unsafe sex, sharing sex toys or genitals coming into contact with an infected person’s genital area.
“It’s important to note that this infection cannot be passed through casual contact such as kissing or sharing a towel.”
Symptoms of the nasty STI may vary between men and women.
“For men, symptoms of gonorrhoea include; a burning sensation while urinating, inflamed foreskin and white, yellow or green discharge from the penis,” Dr Grant said.
“Additionally, women suffering from the infection will experience symptoms such as heavier periods, thick green or yellow vaginal discharge, lower abdominal pain and a similar burning sensation during urination.”
Gonorrhoea can also infect other parts of your body if they come into contact with infected semen or vaginal fluid.
How to avoid STIs
In general, sexually transmitted infections are highly preventable.
The only method guaranteed to prevent STIs is to avoid any kind of sexual contact, but this method probably won’t appeal to everyone!
There are things you can do to limit the risk of exposure to infections while still enjoying an active sex life.
The best way to avoid most STIs is to use a condom when you have vaginal or anal sex, as well as condoms and dental dams during oral sex.
Below are some other things you can do to reduce the chances:
- Talking honestly with potential partners about your sexual history
- Getting tested, along with your new partner, before having sex
- Getting tested once a year
- Avoiding sex when under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Completing a full course of treatment if you or your partner are diagnosed with an STI
- Not sharing sex toys, or washing them a covering them with a new condom if you do
- Where appropriate, getting vaccinated against HPV and hepatitis B
For example, this can cause pain, itching and discharge from your bottom, a sore throat, and red, sore eyes.
“If you believe you are suffering from gonorrhoea, it’s crucial to get tested,” Dr Grant warned.
You can do this at your local STI testing and treatment service, but you can also pick up a free self-test kit from a sexual health clinic or some pharmacies.
You need to submit a urine sample for evaluation and the results should be available within 72 hours electronically.
Syphilis symptoms
“While syphilis may be less prevalent than gonorrhoea, the rise in cases suggests a lack of education on the STI,” Dr Grant went on.
Syphilis is most commonly passed around through unprotected sex.
But it’s also possible for the infection to be passed on from mother to child through the womb – this is called congenital syphilis.
Dr Grant said: “This infection has a number of stages, with symptoms varying throughout.
“However, in general, these symptoms are mostly the same for both men and women.
“In the primary stage, sores appear around the area where the infection entered the body, this could be the mouth, anus or genitals.
“Interestingly, while the sores will heal on their own, the infection will remain in the body, highlighting the importance of seeking testing and treatment.
“In the secondary stage, rough red or reddish-brown rashes will appear on the palms and soles while other rashes could appear throughout the body’s surface.
“Other common symptoms experienced in the secondary stage of syphilis include fever, patchy hair loss, fatigue and swollen lymph nodes.
“With syphilis, a latent stage can also take place. This can be tricky to spot as there are no visible symptoms. Despite this, the infection attacks the body’s organs, causing damage over a long period of time.
“This is why I recommend seeking urgent medical attention to remove the infection in its primary or secondary stages.”
Like gonorrhoea, syphilis is treated with antibiotics.