Latest news with #syphilis
The Sun
6 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
‘Concerning' rise of Victorian STI that can trigger heart disease, brain damage and death – are you at risk?
CASES of a sexually transmitted infection that was rampant during the Victorian era have seen a "concerning" surge in England. Diagnoses of syphilis - which can trigger heart disease and brain damage in its later stages - have been on the upward trajectory, with 13,030 recorded in 2024. This figure - which includes early and late-stage syphilis diagnoses and complications from the infection - marks a 5 per cent increase from 2023, when 12,456 syphilis diagnoses were detected. Data published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows a 1.7 per cent rise in early-stage syphilis diagnoses between 2023 and 2024, jumping from 9,375 to 9,535. "The number of syphilis diagnoses was the largest annual number reported since 1948," the health watchdog wrote in its report. Early diagnoses of the historical STI decreased slightly among gay and bisexual men, from 6,435 to 6,330. But there was a sharp increase in infectious syphilis diagnoses among heterosexual men - rising by 23.8 per cent from 1,115 to 1,380. "However, taking into account all diagnoses of syphilis - including late stage or complications such as ocular and otosyphilis - there were an additional 850 diagnoses amongst women who have sex with men, 931 diagnoses among heterosexual men and 1,172 diagnoses among gay and bisexual men," UKHSA said. Syphilis is most commonly passed on through unprotected sex with someone who's infected. You can get the infection if you come into contact with an ulcer on their penis, vagina, bottom, or inside their mouth. It's also possible for it to be transmitted from a mum to her baby through the womb, which can increase the risk of miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth. Symptoms of the STI can take about three weeks to appear after infection and can be subtle, coming and going over time, making them hard to spot. It can crop up as painless sores or grey-ish warty growths, most commonly on your penis, vagina or around your anus. Syphilis can also cause a rash that spreads from the hands and feet to the rest of the body, as well as white patches in the mouth, flu-like symptoms and hair loss. Sometimes the symptoms can improve or go away completely, but if you have not been treated the infection is still in your body. This means you can still pass it on and you're at risk of getting serious problems later on. Drug-resistant gonorrhoea UKHSA's report also included data on other STIs, including gonorrhoea. The health watchdog said there was a 16 per cent drop in gonorrhoea cases, with 71,802 diagnoses of the infection in 2024, compared to 85,370 in 2023. The fall has been greatest in young people aged 15 to 24 years where there was a 36 per cent reduction in diagnoses - but UKHSA noted that it is too soon to conclude whether this trend will continue. However, it flagged there has been "a concerning acceleration" in diagnoses of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea. While most gonorrhoea infections can be treated effectively with antibiotics, certain strains don't respond to the drugs and "present significant treatment challenges". The STI is usually treated with a single dose of the antibiotic ceftriaxone, given as an injection or tablets at GP surgeries or a sexual health clinics. But in some cases this isn't effective, as the bacteria has developed the ability to survive and multiply even when exposed to the antibiotic. "Ceftriaxone resistance is particularly concerning as this antibiotic serves as the primary treatment for gonorrhoea infections," UKHSA noted. Symptoms of syphilis and its stages The symptoms of syphilis are often mild, making them difficult to spot. They also tend to change over time, and come and go, so it is easy to presume you aren't infected, even when you are. The most common symptoms of the infection include: Small sores (ulcers) on your penis, vagina, or around your bottom (anus) – these are usually painless and you may only have one of them 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 – this is not usually itchy 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 These signs may not appear until three weeks (or more) after you're infected. Sometimes the symptoms can improve or go away completely, but if you have not been treated the infection is still in your body. This means you can still pass it on and you're at risk of getting serious problems later on. Potential complications include: Heart problems like angina, aortic aneurysm and heart failure Brain problems like fits (seizures), memory problems, personality changes and dementia Nerve problems like shooting pains, pins and needles, joint pain and gradual damage the joints Problems with the skin, bones, testicles, liver and any other organ Syphilis tends to happen in stages. Primary stage - between two to 12 weeks after exposure (patients develops painless sores on the genitals that might heal on their own) Secondary stage - between one to six months after the primary stage (patients may develop itchy rashes on the skin) Latent stage (patients show no signs but remain infectious) Tertiary stage (patients may develop complications) Some of these problems may not appear for many years after being infected with syphilis. At any point in the infection, syphilis bacteria - Treponema pallidum - can invade the nervous system and affect the brain, eyes or ears. This may cause headaches, brain swelling, strokes, and mental changes. Eyes may become sensitive to light or swollen, or sight may be affected and people may also experience hearing loss, dizziness, or tinnitus if the infection reaches their ears. Source: NHS, WHO, CDC "Although numbers remain low, ceftriaxone-resistant gonorrhoea cases are being detected more frequently." It said 14 cases reported in the first five months of 2025, which is greater than the number of cases reported for the whole of 2024 - 13 cases. "Six of the 14 cases in 2025 have been extensively drug-resistant cases, which means that they were resistant to ceftriaxone and to second-line treatment options. "Most ceftriaxone resistant cases are associated with travel to or from the Asia-Pacific region, where the prevalence of ceftriaxone resistance is high." UKHSA warned early this year that treatment-resistant STIs run the risk of one day becoming "untreatable". Despite infections of some STIs dipping, cases still remain high and continue to significantly impact young people, gay and bisexual men, and some minority ethnic groups, UKHSA said. It urged people to use condoms with new or casual partners to use a condom and get tested regularly, whatever their age or sexual orientation. As many STIs don't cause noticeable symptoms, people often pass them on without realising it. STIs are usually easily treated with antibiotics, but many can cause serious health issues if left untreated. Chlamydia and gonorrhoea can cause infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease, while 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. '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.' How to avoid STIs In general, sexually transmitted infections are highly preventable. The only method guaranteed to prevent STIs is to avoid any kind of sexual contact, but this method probably won't appeal to everyone! There are things you can do to limit the risk of exposure to infections while still enjoying an active sex life. The best way to avoid most STIs is to use a condom when you have vaginal or anal sex, as well as condoms and dental dams during oral sex. Below are some other things you can do to reduce the chances: Talking honestly with potential partners about your sexual history Getting tested, along with your new partner, before having sex Getting tested once a year Avoiding sex when under the influence of alcohol or drugs Completing a full course of treatment if you or your partner are diagnosed with an STI Not sharing sex toys, or washing them a covering them with a new condom if you do Where appropriate, getting vaccinated against HPV and hepatitis B
BBC News
9 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Syphilis and drug resistant gonorrhoea cases on the increase
New cases of the sexually transmitted infection syphilis have risen again in England, continuing a trend dating back to the early the overall number of people diagnosed with gonorrhoea has fallen, there has been a significant increase in the number of cases where the infection is drug resistant, new UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data shows. Health experts say this is a real concern, although the actual number of drug-resistant cases remains very low. The NHS recently announced the rollout of the world's first vaccine programme to protect against gonorrhoea, aimed principally at gay and bisexual men. Overall, there were 9,535 diagnoses of what is described as early-stage syphilis in England in 2024, up 2% on the overall figure for syphilis, including what is called late-stage syphilis, or complications from the infection, rose 5% to 13, figures for gonorrhoea show a more complicated 2024 saw a 16% fall in gonorrhoea cases, with 71,802 diagnoses compared to 85,370 in 2023, with the greatest fall among 15- to 24-year-olds. Giulia Habib Meriggi, a surveillance and prevention scientist for sexually transmitted infections at UKHSA, urged caution over the decline."This is the first year in the last couple of years where [the numbers] have actually gone down," she said."It's still the third highest number of cases we've had in a year in recorded history, so it is sort of good news but it doesn't mean it will stay that way. "It is obviously really important for people to still get tested regularly and use condoms with new partners." Drug resistant gonorrhoea on the rise By contrast, there has been an acceleration in diagnoses of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea. Some strains of the bacteria which causes the disease no longer respond to the first-line treatment, the antibiotic numbers themselves remain low, with 14 cases reported in the first five months of 2025, compared with 13 cases for the whole of 2024. But six of those 14 cases so far this year have been extensively drug-resistant, meaning they were resistant not just to ceftriaxone but also to second-line treatment of the ceftriaxone resistant cases were linked with travel to or from the Asia-Pacific region, where levels of ceftriaxone resistance are scientist Prarthana Narayanan describes the trend as "worrying"."The numbers are still small but the reason this is worrying is because, once resistance in gonorrhoea becomes endemic, then it becomes extremely hard to treat, because ceftriaxone is the last first-line therapy we have for it. "We want to make sure that the spread of resistant strains is reduced as much as possible to try and prolong how long we can use ceftriaxone to treat it for," she said. What are the symptoms of syphilis and gonorrhoea? Syphilis can present as small sores or ulcers on and around the genitals, as well as white or grey warty growthsSores in other areas, including in your mouth or on your lips, hands or bottomA rash on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet that can sometimes spread all over your bodyWhite patches in your mouthFlu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, headaches, tiredness and swollen glandsPatchy hair loss on the head, beard and eyebrowsGonorrhoea can cause fluid or discharge from the penis or vaginaA burning pain when you urinatePain in the lower abdomen (for women) or sore testicles Growing concern over drug resistance Numbers of sexually transmitted infections remain high, warns UKHSA, with the impact felt felt mainly in 15- to 24-year-olds, gay and bisexual men and some minority ethnic groups. But the increase in drug resistant cases of gonorrhoea is a real concern, amid wider worries around the growth in antimicrobial World Health Organisation describes antimicrobial resistance as an issue of global concern and one of the biggest threats to global health. It threatens our ability to treat common infections and to perform life-saving procedures, including chemotherapy for cancer, caesarean sections, hip replacements, organ transplants and other is why, even though only 14 cases of drug-resistant gonorrhoea were identified this year, health experts urge anyone having sex with new or casual partners to use a condom and get tested regularly, whatever their age or sexual orientation.
Daily Mail
12 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Syphilis Britain! Cases of Victorian-era STI hit record highs, new data reveals...do you live in a UK hotspot?
One in every 1,000 people in parts of England have the sexually transmitted infection (STI) syphilis, as officials warn cases have reached the highest level since 1948. Lambeth, in South London, was the nation's syphilis capital with almost 138 cases per 100,000 people last year. This is equivalent to just over one in every 1,000 people in the borough having the STI which can cause life threatening problems if left untreated. Officials from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said a total of 9,535 syphilis cases were detected in 2024, an increase of 1.7 per cent compared to the year prior. They added the number cases was the largest number in 76 years. MailOnline has now created a fascinating map allowing to see how your area compares for multiple STIs in the current outbreak. Officials also raised the alarm about a rise in drug resistant super-gonorrhoea. While overall cases of this STI fell 16 per cent—from 85,370 in 2023 to 71,802 last year—cases of antibiotic resistant strains have recently soared. UKKSA said a total of 14 cases of drug resistant gonorrhoea had been reported as of May this year, which is more than 13 recorded in the entirety of 2024. Even more concerning is that six of cases recorded in 2025 are what experts call 'extensively drug resistant'—or XDR gonorrhoea. This strain of the infection is resistant to both ceftriaxone— the frontline antibiotic normally used to combat gonorrhoea—as well as other medications, surviving and even thriving in patients despite treatment. Officials said the majority of cases drug resistant gonorrhoea were linked to travel to or from the Asia-Pacific region where such strains are more prevalent. After Lambeth, other hotspots for syphilis were also London boroughs with Westminster recording 131.4 cases per 100,000 people and Southwark with 107.4. The next highest area outside of the capital was Brighton and Hove with 49 cases per 100,000. In contrast, the part of England was the Isles of Scilly which recorded zero syphilis cases, followed by North Lincolnshire with 2.4 cases per 100,000. The national syphilis rate for the entirety of England was 16.5 cases per 100,000 people. Nationally, heterosexual men accounted for the largest jump in syphilis with cases jumping 23.8 per cent from last year to 1,380. However, men who have sex with men still accounted for the largest portion of cases of the STI at 6,330 cases, despite this being a small drop of 1.6 per cent compared to the year prior. Syphilis typically causes small sores to develop on or around the genitals and/or anus, and white warty growths in the same areas. It usually takes three weeks from infection to develop symptoms from infection. Left untreated it can cause extremely serious and life-threatening health problems, harming the function of the heart, brain, nerves and other organs. Dr Hamish Mohammed, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, urged Britons to follow safe sex guidance and use condoms with new or casual partners. 'These infections can have a major impact on your health and that of any sexual partners – particularly if they are antibiotic resistant,' he said. '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.' Data for other STIs show rates of chlamydia fell 13 per cent to 168,889 diagnoses in 2024, while cases of genital warts also dropped. The latest annual data on the STI rates in England comes just a few weeks after the NHS announced it was launching a world-first a vaccine for gonorrhoea. Responding to the data, The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents councils responsible for commissioning sexual health services, warns that the system is struggling to keep pace with soaring demand for STI checks. Cllr David Fothergill, chairman of the LGA's community wellbeing board, said: 'These statistics show that local sexual health services are grappling with significant increases in demand.
CBC
14-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
Tuberculosis, syphilis cases on the rise in Montreal
Montreal Public Health says newcomers without access to public health care are the ones being most affected by TB. Meanwhile, officials are raising concerns about the spread of syphilis among women.
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Doctors officially told to start screening ALL pregnant women for frightening STD in bombshell move
Every pregnant woman should get screened for an STD linked to rising rates of stillbirths and defects in babies, according to an influential medical panel. The US Preventive Services Task Force, which sets clinical care guidelines for the country, issued new guidance today calling on doctors to screen for syphilis throughout pregnancies. Syphilis is a bacterial infection that women can pass to their babies in utero, known as congenital syphilis, which can interfere with the fetus' development. Rates of the STD have been rising rapidly in recent years thanks to a combination of missed testing, treatment and prenatal care gaps, substance use, social stigma, and testing delays. In 2023, the US reported nearly 4,000 cases of congenital syphilis, up more than a third from 2021 and 10 times higher than a decade ago. There were also 279 congenital syphilis-related stillbirths in 2023, the highest number reported in 30 years. A 2018 federal recommendation urged all pregnant women to be screened for the disease, but the USPSTF is emphasizing its importance by reissuing this recommendation given the upticks in cases and still births. Women are already recommended to get screened from the disease early, at their very first visit with a gynecologist weeks of pregnancy - between eight and 12. Women are recommended to get screened from the disease early, at their very first visit with a gynecologist weeks of pregnancy - between eight and 12. This applies to women who have been previously tested for syphilis But the UPSTF also recommended screening at 28 weeks' gestation and a third time at delivery. Revealing the guidance, members of the task force said: '[We] conclude with high certainty that screening for syphilis infection in pregnancy has a substantial net benefit.' They added: 'Rates of new syphilis cases have continued to rise over the past three decades, especially in women. 'Although men account for the majority of syphilis cases, the change in incidence among women was 2 to 4 times higher than that among men between 2017 and 2021.' Congenital syphilis can cause severe long-term problems for the baby. They may be born too early, too small, or stillborn. Newborns with the infection can have life-threatening complications such as severe anemia, swollen liver and spleen, yellowing skin (jaundice), and bone deformities. The infection can also cause brain and nerve damage, leading to inflammation of the covering around nerves, blindness, and permanent hearing loss. The USPSTF said: 'A recent analysis of national data from 2022 found that 5 percent of congenital syphilis cases (197/3761 cases) occurred in late pregnancy after having had a negative syphilis screening result earlier in pregnancy. 'Similar to the disparities seen in the burden of syphilis, 40.6 percent of these cases occurred in Black women, 28.4 percent occurred in Hispanic or Latina women, and 19.8 percent occurred in White women.' Some retrospective studies estimate that 25 percent to 50 percent of congenital syphilis cases could be prevented by repeat screening in the third trimester of pregnancy. The task force added: Congenital syphilis increased more than 10-fold over a recent decade, from 334 cases in 2012 to 3882 cases in 2023. 'It is estimated that almost 90 percent of new congenital syphilis cases could have been prevented with timely testing and treatment.' The infection can be cured in utero with consistent treatment with the antibiotic penicillin, ideally before the second trimester. A 2014 systematic review of 54 observational studies found that the incidence of congenital syphilis, preterm birth, low birth weight, stillbirth, and newborn infant death was dramatically reduced in pregnant women treated for syphilis during pregnancy compared with those who had untreated syphilis. Screening for congenital syphilis involves a blood test that detects antibodies that may reflect infection with Treponema pallidum, the organism that causes syphilis. Most states mandate screening for syphilis in all pregnant women at the first prenatal visit, and some mandate repeat screening early in the third trimester and at delivery. Embed: CDC Privacy Policy During pregnancy, the body goes through many changes that can sometimes cause false positives on syphilis screening tests. These tests look for signs of tissue damage, not just syphilis itself. Pregnancy can trigger similar reactions because of hormonal shifts, immune system adjustments, or other conditions like autoimmune diseases. A positive result on the first test doesn't always mean syphilis—it needs a second, more specific test to confirm. The infection is spread through contact with fecal matter. Unhoused people are more likely to experience the dangerous infection given lack of easy access to handwashing and public restrooms. Infection is also more common in women living in areas where cases are generally high, those with a history of HIV, incarceration, or sex work. 'Clinicians should be aware of the prevalence of syphilis infection in the communities they serve and state mandates for syphilis screening,' the task force said.
