People are being warned as cases of gonorrhoea have soared across the country. A staggering spike of 166 per cent has been recorded in the South West and STI diagnoses have also risen overall by 33 per cent in one year.
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is now urging everyone who is having sex with new or casual partners to wear a condom and get tested regularly – whatever their age or sexual orientation.
The rise in STIs follows a decline in diagnoses during the coronavirus pandemic because of disruption to sexual health services and changes in behaviour which may have reduced transmission.
