SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES ON THE RISE

STOCKHOLM, MAY 21 /SRNA/ - According to new data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control /ECDC/, sexually transmitted infections /STIs/, including gonorrhea and syphilis, have reached record levels in Europe.

A total of 106,331 cases of gonorrhea were recorded, representing a 303 percent increase compared to 2015, while syphilis cases more than doubled over the same period to 45,557.

Spain recorded the highest number of confirmed gonorrhea and syphilis cases among European countries - 37,169 and 11,556 respectively.

The head of the agency’s unit for directly transmitted and vaccine-preventable diseases, Bruno Ciancio, emphasized that protecting sexual health remains simple.

"Use condoms with new or multiple partners and get tested if you have symptoms," Ciancio said.

He pointed out that these infections can cause serious complications, such as chronic pain and infertility, and in the case of syphilis, problems with the heart or nervous system.

He added that cases of congenital syphilis, "where infections are directly transmitted to newborns, leading to potentially lifelong complications," nearly doubled from 2023 to 2024.

The United Kingdom introduced a gonorrhea vaccine in 2025 after recording a record 85,000 cases in 2023.

Symptoms of gonorrhea may include pain, unusual discharge, and inflammation of the genitals - although in some cases no symptoms appear.

Doctors say syphilis can be prevented through proper condom use and by accepting vaccination if offered.

Symptoms of syphilis include sores around the genitals and mouth, rashes on the hands, hair loss, and flu-like symptoms. They are often difficult to notice at first and may appear and disappear over time. Like gonorrhea, syphilis can be prevented through condom use and treated with antibiotics. Both diseases can cause serious health problems if left untreated.