Latest news with #HamishMohammed
Scotsman
6 hours ago
- Health
- Scotsman
warning signs of Victorian era STI
There is concern after the latest data showed cases of syphilis had continued to rise 🏥 Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) has published its latest data on sexually transmitted infections (STI). Concerningly cases of syphilis, an STI most commonly associated with the Victorian era have continued to rise. If left untreated, syphilis can cause serious and potentially life-threatening complications. Cases of a Victorian era sexually transmitted infection (STI), are continuing to increase, latest data from the UKHSA has shown. Syphilis, is an STI that was once believed to be a thing of the past, however, cases are 'concerningly' on the rise in 2024, compared to 2023. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Overall, there was a 2% rise (9,535) in diagnoses of early-stage syphilis in 2024 compared to 2023 (9,375), whilst 'concerningly', figures rose to 5% for late-stage syphilis, increasing from 12,456 in 2023 to 13,030 in 2024. If left untreated, syphilis can cause serious, irreversible and potentially life-threatening problems with your brain, heart, or nerves. Dr Hamish Mohammed, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: 'Levels of STIs in this country remain a big threat to sexual wellbeing. These infections can have a major impact on your health and that of any sexual partners, particularly if they are antibiotic resistant. 'If you've had condomless sex with new or casual partners, either in the UK or overseas, get tested for STIs and HIV at least yearly, even if you don't have symptoms. Regular testing protects both you and those you're having sex with.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad New data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that syphilis cases have continued to rise. |What is syphilis? Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI), that is passed on through unprotected sexual contact. Most commonly associated with the Victorian era, it is still prevalent, with cases 'concerningly', continue to rise in the UK. What are the symptoms of syphilis? Symptoms of syphilis can take up to three weeks to appear after being infected. They can be mild and come and go, but the infection will remain and you will be able to pass it on. This is why if you suspect you have syphilis or have symptoms it's important to get tested. The NHS explain symptoms of syphilis include: small sores (ulcers) on your penis, vagina, or around your bottom (anus) sores in other areas, including in your mouth or on your lips, hands or bottom white or grey warty growths most commonly on your penis, vagina or around your anus a rash on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet that can sometimes spread all over your body white patches in your mouth flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, headaches and tiredness swollen glands patchy hair loss on the head, beard and eyebrows Who is at risk of syphilis? You are at risk of syphilis if you have unprotected sexual contact (vaginal, anal or oral), with someone who is infected with syphilis. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The STI can also be passed onto unborn babies or can spread through injecting drugs with a needle that has been used by someone who is infected, in very rare cases it can also be passed on through blood or organ transplants, although in the UK all blood and organ donations are checked for syphilis. How is syphilis treated? Syphilis is treated with antibiotics, it's important not to engage in sexual contact until you have completed your treatment and had a test that has confirmed you are over the infection. If you have a partner, do not have sexual contact until they have also been treated and a test has confirmed they no longer have syphilis. If left untreated, syphilis can cause serious, irreversible and potentially life-threatening problems with your brain, heart, or nerves. This is why it's so important to seek treatment as soon as you suspect you have been exposed or have symptoms. STI testing is free, confidential and can be accessed through local sexual health clinics, your GP surgery, university and college medical centres or through self-sampling kits which can be sent discreetly through the post .
Scotsman
8 hours ago
- Health
- Scotsman
warning signs of Victorian era STI
There is concern after the latest data showed cases of syphilis had continued to rise 🏥 Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) has published its latest data on sexually transmitted infections (STI). Concerningly cases of syphilis, an STI most commonly associated with the Victorian era have continued to rise. If left untreated, syphilis can cause serious and potentially life-threatening complications. Cases of a Victorian era sexually transmitted infection (STI), are continuing to increase, latest data from the UKHSA has shown. Syphilis, is an STI that was once believed to be a thing of the past, however, cases are 'concerningly' on the rise in 2024, compared to 2023. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Overall, there was a 2% rise (9,535) in diagnoses of early-stage syphilis in 2024 compared to 2023 (9,375), whilst 'concerningly', figures rose to 5% for late-stage syphilis, increasing from 12,456 in 2023 to 13,030 in 2024. If left untreated, syphilis can cause serious, irreversible and potentially life-threatening problems with your brain, heart, or nerves. Dr Hamish Mohammed, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: 'Levels of STIs in this country remain a big threat to sexual wellbeing. These infections can have a major impact on your health and that of any sexual partners, particularly if they are antibiotic resistant. 'If you've had condomless sex with new or casual partners, either in the UK or overseas, get tested for STIs and HIV at least yearly, even if you don't have symptoms. Regular testing protects both you and those you're having sex with.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad New data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that syphilis cases have continued to rise. |What is syphilis? Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI), that is passed on through unprotected sexual contact. Most commonly associated with the Victorian era, it is still prevalent, with cases 'concerningly', continue to rise in the UK. What are the symptoms of syphilis? Symptoms of syphilis can take up to three weeks to appear after being infected. They can be mild and come and go, but the infection will remain and you will be able to pass it on. This is why if you suspect you have syphilis or have symptoms it's important to get tested. The NHS explain symptoms of syphilis include: small sores (ulcers) on your penis, vagina, or around your bottom (anus) sores in other areas, including in your mouth or on your lips, hands or bottom white or grey warty growths most commonly on your penis, vagina or around your anus a rash on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet that can sometimes spread all over your body white patches in your mouth flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, headaches and tiredness swollen glands patchy hair loss on the head, beard and eyebrows Who is at risk of syphilis? You are at risk of syphilis if you have unprotected sexual contact (vaginal, anal or oral), with someone who is infected with syphilis. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The STI can also be passed onto unborn babies or can spread through injecting drugs with a needle that has been used by someone who is infected, in very rare cases it can also be passed on through blood or organ transplants, although in the UK all blood and organ donations are checked for syphilis. How is syphilis treated? Syphilis is treated with antibiotics, it's important not to engage in sexual contact until you have completed your treatment and had a test that has confirmed you are over the infection. If you have a partner, do not have sexual contact until they have also been treated and a test has confirmed they no longer have syphilis. If left untreated, syphilis can cause serious, irreversible and potentially life-threatening problems with your brain, heart, or nerves. This is why it's so important to seek treatment as soon as you suspect you have been exposed or have symptoms.
ITV News
4 days ago
- Health
- ITV News
'Concerning jump' in antibiotic resistant gonorrhoea
There has been a "concerning jump" in cases of gonorrhoea resistant to strong antibiotics, health officials have warned. New figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show there have been more cases of the sexually transmitted infection (STI) that are resistant to the antibiotic ceftriaxone so far in 2025 than the whole of last year. Overall, there was a 16% drop in gonorrhoea cases in 2024 in England, with 71,802 diagnoses, compared with 85,370 in 2023. However, ceftriaxone-resistant gonorrhoea cases are being detected more frequently - with 14 in the first five months of 2025 compared with 13 in the whole of the previous year. Six of the 14 cases this year have been "extensively drug-resistant", which means that they were resistant to ceftriaxone and then to second-line treatment options, according to the UKHSA. What is gonorrhoea? According to the NHS, Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is often symptomless, but symptoms can include unusual discharge from the genitals, pain during urination or sex, a sore throat, or redness in the eyes. Untreated gonorrhoea can cause serious complications which can lead to infertility in both men and women. If you think you might have gonorrhoea you can get tested for free through the NHS, either with a self-test kit or by going to a sexual health clinic. Gonorrhoea is treated with a single dose of antibiotics, which can be an injection or tablets. You would need to go back to your GP or clinic about a week later to check you no longer have gonorrhoea. Ceftriaxone is a strong antibiotic and the main treatment for gonorrhoea. Experts are therefore concerned when infections fail to respond to it. Most of these drug-resistant cases are linked with travel to or from the Asia-Pacific region, where the prevalence of ceftriaxone resistance is high. Elsewhere, among people in England, early-stage syphilis diagnoses rose 1.7%, from 9,375 in 2023 to 9,535 in 2024. The overall figure for syphilis, including late-stage syphilis or complications from the infection, increased 5% from 12,456 in 2023 to 13,030 in 2024. Chlamydia fell 13%, from 194,143 diagnoses in 2023 to 168,889 in 2024, while people diagnosed for the first time with genital warts also dropped. Among women aged 15 to 24 who are recommended to be screened through the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP), there was a 10.7% decrease in the number of chlamydia tests carried out, from 673,102 to 601,295. Dr Hamish Mohammed, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: "Levels of STIs in this country remain a big threat to sexual wellbeing. "These infections can have a major impact on your health and that of any sexual partners - particularly if they are antibiotic resistant. "If you've had condomless sex with new or casual partners - either in the UK or overseas - get tested for STIs and HIV at least yearly, even if you don't have symptoms. Regular testing protects both you and those you're having sex with. "From August, eligible people will also be offered vaccination to reduce the risk of gonorrhoea and we expect to see the immunisation programme have an impact on diagnoses of this infection in coming years - please take up the vaccine if you are offered it."
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Experts warn of ‘concerning jump' in antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea
New figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show there have been more cases of the sexually transmitted infection (STI) gonorrhoea that are resistant to the antibiotic ceftriaxone so far in 2025 than the whole of last year. Overall, there was a 16% drop in gonorrhoea cases in 2024 in England, with 71,802 diagnoses, compared with 85,370 in 2023. However, ceftriaxone-resistant gonorrhoea cases are being detected more frequently – with 14 in the first five months of 2025 compared with 13 in the whole of the previous year. Six of the 14 cases this year have been 'extensively drug-resistant', which means that they were resistant to ceftriaxone and then to second-line treatment options, according to the UKHSA. Ceftriaxone is a strong antibiotic and the main treatment for gonorrhoea. Experts are therefore concerned when infections fail to respond to it. Most of these drug-resistant cases are linked with travel to or from the Asia-Pacific region, where the prevalence of ceftriaxone resistance is high. Elsewhere, among people in England, early-stage syphilis diagnoses rose 1.7%, from 9,375 in 2023 to 9,535 in 2024. The overall figure for syphilis, including late-stage syphilis or complications from the infection, increased 5% from 12,456 in 2023 to 13,030 in 2024. Chlamydia fell 13%, from 194,143 diagnoses in 2023 to 168,889 in 2024, while people diagnosed for the first time with genital warts also dropped. Among women aged 15 to 24 who are recommended to be screened through the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP), there was a 10.7% decrease in the number of chlamydia tests carried out, from 673,102 to 601,295. Dr Hamish Mohammed, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: 'Levels of STIs in this country remain a big threat to sexual wellbeing. 'These infections can have a major impact on your health and that of any sexual partners – particularly if they are antibiotic resistant. 'If you've had condomless sex with new or casual partners – either in the UK or overseas – get tested for STIs and HIV at least yearly, even if you don't have symptoms. Regular testing protects both you and those you're having sex with. 'From August, eligible people will also be offered vaccination to reduce the risk of gonorrhoea and we expect to see the immunisation programme have an impact on diagnoses of this infection in coming years – please take up the vaccine if you are offered it.'
South Wales Guardian
4 days ago
- General
- South Wales Guardian
Experts warn of ‘concerning jump' in antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea
New figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show there have been more cases of the sexually transmitted infection (STI) gonorrhoea that are resistant to the antibiotic ceftriaxone so far in 2025 than the whole of last year. Overall, there was a 16% drop in gonorrhoea cases in 2024 in England, with 71,802 diagnoses, compared with 85,370 in 2023. However, ceftriaxone-resistant gonorrhoea cases are being detected more frequently – with 14 in the first five months of 2025 compared with 13 in the whole of the previous year. Six of the 14 cases this year have been 'extensively drug-resistant', which means that they were resistant to ceftriaxone and then to second-line treatment options, according to the UKHSA. Ceftriaxone is a strong antibiotic and the main treatment for gonorrhoea. Experts are therefore concerned when infections fail to respond to it. Most of these drug-resistant cases are linked with travel to or from the Asia-Pacific region, where the prevalence of ceftriaxone resistance is high. Elsewhere, among people in England, early-stage syphilis diagnoses rose 1.7%, from 9,375 in 2023 to 9,535 in 2024. The overall figure for syphilis, including late-stage syphilis or complications from the infection, increased 5% from 12,456 in 2023 to 13,030 in 2024. Chlamydia fell 13%, from 194,143 diagnoses in 2023 to 168,889 in 2024, while people diagnosed for the first time with genital warts also dropped. Among women aged 15 to 24 who are recommended to be screened through the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP), there was a 10.7% decrease in the number of chlamydia tests carried out, from 673,102 to 601,295. Dr Hamish Mohammed, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: 'Levels of STIs in this country remain a big threat to sexual wellbeing. 'These infections can have a major impact on your health and that of any sexual partners – particularly if they are antibiotic resistant. 'If you've had condomless sex with new or casual partners – either in the UK or overseas – get tested for STIs and HIV at least yearly, even if you don't have symptoms. Regular testing protects both you and those you're having sex with. 'From August, eligible people will also be offered vaccination to reduce the risk of gonorrhoea and we expect to see the immunisation programme have an impact on diagnoses of this infection in coming years – please take up the vaccine if you are offered it.'
