New data From British health security (UKHSA) reveals a covered transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIS) between 2023 and 2024.
While the data contained some good news, such as a decrease in Chlamydia And gonorrhea Diagnoses, there was a noticeable increase in syphilis Cases nationwide with a strong increase in number of cases in heterosexual people, especially heterosexual men.
Read on to find out more.
The syphilis have been rising in Great Britain for several years. Let yourself be tested to protect yourself and the people you are interested in.
What is syphilis?
syphilis Is a STI that is caused by a bacterium that runs between people during gender. It is usually identified by a characteristic pain (Chancre) that occurs between 10 and 90 days after the first infection. This chancre is usually round, firm and painless and appears at the scene of the infection. These are usually the genitals, but can also be in the mouth or anus.
The chancre disappears on its own. However, if you remain untreated, the infection develops into a secondary phase in which it flu -like symptoms such as:
- Body outlets
- fatigue
- Trimming
- dizziness
- Bodyache
- Fever
- Headache
It is easy to confuse these symptoms with less serious infections, which is why the syphilis are so often untreated.
Syphilis can then reach a latent stage in which it does not cause symptoms, but slowly damages its organ systems such as the bones, the brain, heart and nerves. If you stay untreated over the years, syphilis can be fatal.
How do you get syphilis?
Syphilis is a STI so that you can get it from most types of unprotected sexual activities. Infected body fluids such as sperm and vaginal fluids come into contact in the genitals, the anus and in the throat, which then absorb the bacteria and forgive them into their body.
You can also get syphilis by sharing sex toys without washing it between use or condoms.
Since syphilis is an infection transmitted by blood, you can also get it through immortilized tattoo devices and blood transfusions, although this is very rare in countries with advanced health systems.
It is also known that needles are a risk factor for drug use.
What do the data show?
Cases of syphilis in England have been at the highest level since 1948According to the newly published data from UKSA. 9.513 Cases of infectious syphilis were diagnosed in 2024.
While most cases were diagnosed in gay and bisexual men, There was a much larger proportional increase in syphilis diagnoses in heterosexual men and women.
There was 1,958 Cases that were diagnosed in heterosexual men and women in 2023 rose an increase of 23.8% compared to 2022 if there are 1,608 cases.
This despite the fact that the diagnoses of syphilis in heterosexual women remained relatively stable in the same period and only rose by 1%. Including the late stage or complications such as eye and otosyphilis, the total diagnoses increased by 4.6%.
The biggest jumps in the diagnoses were in heterosexual men aged 25 and 64. The number of diagnoses in men who have sex with women between the ages of 15 and 65 and 65 increases even with lower numbers with a lower number compared to other age groups.
Among heterosexual men, in whom sex partnerships were reported, syphilis was most frequently diagnosed in those who reported a youngest sex partner (53%).
Syphilis was most often diagnosed among all women in whom sex partnerships were reported to people with a youngest sex partner (66.1%).
On the other hand, the number of overall typhilis fell in gays, bisexuals and other men who have sex with men, by 1.6%.
The data also showed a significant decline in the number of diagnoses of other STIs. The Gonorrhea diagnoses decreased by 15.9% between 2023 and 2024, while the Chlamydia diagnoses decreased by 13% in the same period.
In total, the Sti diagnoses fell by 8.8%from 2023 to 2024.
Why does that happen?
It is not entirely clear what led to this increase in syphilis diagnoses.
The UKSHA stated that the number of syphilis tests between 2023 and 2024 increased. This can mean that an increase in the tests gave existing infections rather than an increase in new infections. This could be the result of shift of test patterns over time.
To remedy the increase in syphilis diagnoses in England, the UKSHA AA released Syphilis action plan in 2019. This plan focused on important interventions to control and prevent this infection. These measures included more frequent tests, partner notifications and awareness of the infection.
How can I protect myself?
Syphilis can damage your health, so it is important to protect yourself in every conceivable way.
Avoid unsafe sex. This includes unprotected sex without a barrier contraception like condoms.
However, if you believe that you were exposed to an infection, you should be tested immediately. Book a Sti test in a sexual health clinic near you by clicking on the button below.
Do not leave your sexual health to chance. It is always better2 white.