UK: STIs soaring in gay men - warning

The number of sexually transmitted infections being spread in gay men is soaring, according to Public Health England. Figures for 2014 showed a 46% increase in syphilis infections, 32% in gonorrhoea and 26% in chlamydia. The report said there were "high levels of condomless sex" in general and "rapid" transmission of infections in HIV-positive men.

Dr Michael Brady, the medical director of the Terrence Higgins Trust, said: "The continued rise in both syphilis and gonorrhoea is a worry and evidence that we still have much to do to address the nation's poor sexual health and rates of STIs in those most at risk. We should make better use of new technologies and approaches - local awareness raising through targeted social media based on the geographical breakdown of the data we are seeing today and an offer online testing - to reach those who are not accessing 'traditional' services"  Read More