Although the total number of diagnosed sexually transmitted infections in 2017 remained much the same as in 2016, there were substantial increases in the number of cases of syphilis and gonorrhoea, according to figures released by Public Health England.

There were 422,147 diagnoses of STIs made in England in the year to December 2017. However, diagnoses of syphilis were up to 7,137, a 20% increase on 2016 and a 148% increase relative to 2008.

There were 44,676 diagnoses of gonorrhoea reported in 2017, a 22% increase on 2016, and of special concern given the recent emergence of extensively drug resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Over 1.3 million chlamydia tests were carried out in 2017 and over 126,000 chlamydia diagnoses were made among young people aged 15 to 24 years. Between 2016 and 2017 there was an 8% decline in the number of tests conducted.

The impact of STIs remains greatest in young heterosexuals aged 15 24; black ethnic minorities; and gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM).