Key Summary
- STI rates in the UK remain high among 15-24 year olds—350+ daily diagnoses despite recent drops in syphilis and gonorrhoea
- Condoms, testing, and vaccines (HPV, MenACWY, MMR, Hepatitis A/B, etc.) are urged as key preventive measures
- The UK Health Security Agency has urged university freshers to use condoms to stay safe from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Though there is a decline in the number of syphilis and gonorrhea cases in England, health experts point out the numbers still high.
January to March 2025 witnessed a fall in syphilis cases from 2,320 to 1,030, while gonorrhea numbers fell from 18,250 to 15,920.
STIs are most common in the 15-24 age group, with more than 350 diagnoses every day in 2024.
Common symptoms include an unusual discharge from the vagina, penis or anus; pain when passing urine; and sores around your genitals or anus.
These infections can be cured with timely administration of antibiotics.
However, some of these diseases can have long-term consequences.
Chlamydia and gonorrhoea can cause infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease, while syphilis can cause serious, irreversible and potentially life-threatening problems with the brain, heart, or nerves.
With STI conditions like gonorrhea becoming antibiotic resistant, it is important to take precautionary measures like use of condoms.
Students are also urged to receive their free NHS vaccinations for human papillomavirus (HPV), meningitis (MenACWY vaccine), and the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) before the commencement of their fresher year.
Along with this, students are also suggested to take mpox, hepatitis A and B vaccines as well via the sexual health services.
Dr Hamish Mohammed, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA said, “Using condoms is one of the most effective ways to reduce your risk.”
He also emphasised that, “If you’ve had condomless sex with a new or casual partner and are experiencing any STI symptoms, it’s important to get tested.”
Laura Domegan, Head of Nursing at Brook, said, “We want students starting a new university to feel confident discussing condoms with the people they are having sex with. We recommend talking with your partner about condoms before you start having sex. It may feel tricky bringing it up at first, but discussing condoms ahead of time means you’re much more likely to use them once you are in the moment.”
Many sexual health services in England now offer free STI self-sampling kits for people who aren’t showing symptoms and would prefer a routine check-up in the privacy of their own home.
