The number of Gonorrhoea cases has reached the highest level in any one year since records began.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has released new data that shows diagnoses rose to 82,592 in 2022 which is an increase of 50.3% compared to 2021.
This is the highest number of Gonorrhoea diagnoses in any one year since 1918, the UKHSA explained.
The news comes as the number of Syphilis cases in the UK has risen to its highest level since 1948.
Infectious syphilis diagnoses increased to 8,692 in 2022 which is the largest annual number since just after the Second World World War.
With this in mind, here are the early signs and symptoms of Gonorrhoea to watch out for and its differences from Chlamydia.
What Gonorrhoea is and how it is spread
Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) which is caused by a bacteria, according to the NHS.
The infection is spread from person to person through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex (without a condom).
The National Health Service has also advised that the infection can also be passed by infected semen or vaginal fluid getting into the eyes and the sharing of unwashed or uncovered sex toys (or not using a new condom each time they are used)
Gonorrhoea can also be passed to a newborn during childbirth.
Gonorrhoea symptoms to look out for
The NHS has issued guidance on the symptoms that you should look out for but has shared that many people will not notice any symptoms at all.
Those who do experience symptoms will do so between day 1 and 14 of being infected.
The NHS has advised that Gonorrhoea can infect the throat, anus or eyes and people may experience pain in these areas.
The health body has also said that Gonorrhoea in the throat usually has no symptoms.
Here are the symptoms you should know about:
- green or yellow fluid coming out of the penis
- pain or a burning sensation when peeing
- discomfort and swelling of the testicles
- increased discharge from the vagina
- pain in the lower tummy, particularly during sex
- bleeding in between periods or after sex
What is the difference between Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia?
The main difference between Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia is that they are caused by different bacteria.
Although both STIs are bacterial in nature and present similar symptoms, Chlamydia trachomatis causes Chlamydia and Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium leads to Gonorrhoea.
Learn more about their similarities and differences via the Ending HIV website.
Testing for Gonorrhoea
If you suspect that you may have Gonorrhoea, you should make an appointment with your GP or local sexual health services.
The NHS advised that you may be able to book an appointment for an STI test online using the online booking system.
However, it is important to note that the system varied between different NHS board areas.
The NHS describes Gonorrhoea tests as 'simple, painless and very reliable'.
The test involves sending a swab from the possible infected area to a lab for analysis.
In many cases, you won't even need to be examined by a doctor or nurse and can often collect the sample yourself with a cotton bud swab or by peeing into a container.
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