Get you up to speed: Two major STIs hit record levels in Europe | News World
Record levels of gonorrhoea and syphilis have been reported in Europe, with gonorrhoea cases reaching 106,331 and syphilis cases exceeding 45,000. Spain has the highest incidence, recording 37,169 gonorrhoea cases and 11,556 syphilis cases.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has reported that gonorrhoea cases have reached 106,331, marking a 33% increase since 2015, while syphilis cases have more than doubled to 45,557 in the same timeframe. Spain has the highest reported cases in Europe, with 37,169 gonorrhoea cases and 11,556 syphilis cases, prompting health officials to urge increased testing and prevention measures.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has warned that the rise in gonorrhoea and syphilis cases poses serious health risks, including chronic pain and infertility. In response, sexually active individuals are urged to consistently use condoms with new partners and get tested if symptoms arise, while the UK continues its rollout of a landmark gonorrhoea vaccine.
What remains unclear — The specific reasons for the significant gaps in testing and prevention for STIs are not detailed.
Record levels of gonorrhoea and syphilis reported in Europe
Gonorrhoea and syphilis are on the rise for a worrying reason (Picture: Getty)
Record levels of Gonorrhoea and syphilis have been detected in Europe, reaching the highest number of cases in over ten years.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said that cases of gonorrhoea soared to 106,331 cases – a 33% surge since 2015.
Syphilis cases, meanwhile, have more than doubled – reaching 45,557 cases in the same period of time.
The reason? Increasing gaps in both testing and prevention for STIs across the board.
Head of the Directly Transmitted and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases unit, Bruno Ciancio, said the infections could cause lifelong complications.
‘These infections can cause severe complications, such as chronic pain and infertility and, in the case of syphilis, problems with the heart or nervous system,’ he said.
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Gonorrhoea cases have surged across Europe (Picture: Getty)
‘In cases where infections pass directly to newborns, it can lead to potentially lifelong complications.’
Spain is leading Europe in the highest number of both STIs, recording 37,169 gonorrhoea cases and 11,556 syphilis cases.
Sexually active people have been urged to keep wearing condoms with new or multiple partners and to get tested if anything is awry.
Last year, the UK became the first country in the world to roll out a vaccine for gonorrhoea.
In trials, the breakthrough jab was shown to cut the risk of infection by more than 50%, and its introduction was hailed as a major milestone in sexual health.
Gonorrhoea symptoms usually start around two weeks after infection, but they can lie dormant for months, or you could even be symptomless.
For women, keep an eye out for telltale signs like yellow or greenish discharge, burning when you pee, pain in your abdomen, and bleeding between periods.
Towns and cities in England with the highest gonorrhoea rates
City of Westminster: 749 cases per 100,000 people
Islington: 724 cases per 100,000 people
Archway: 397 cases per 100,000 people
Liverpool: 302 cases per 100,000 people
Nottingham: 290 cases per 100,000 people
Manchester: 276 cases per 100,000 people
Croydon: 229 cases per 100,000 people
Newcastle upon Tyne: 210 cases per 100,000 people
Blackpool: 210 cases per 100,000 people
Leeds: 188 cases per 100,000 people
Source: Condoms.UK
In men, it can cause sore testicles, fluid or discharge coming out of the penis and burning when you pee.
The STI is spread through unprotected sex – including oral – and can affect the eyes and mouth as well as the genitals.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that is caught by having sex with someone who is infected.
It is a bacterial infection and is easily treated with antibiotics in the early stages.
If syphilis is not treated, however, it can cause serious problems, including spreading to the brain and other parts of the body and causing serious, long-term problems, according to the NHS.
Syphilis infections in pregnant women can cause miscarriage, stillbirth and infection to the baby.
Anyone sexually active is at risk.
Syphilis is usually caught through contact with an infected sore, usually through vaginal, anal or oral sex or by sharing sex toys.
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