The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is reminding people of the importance of protecting themselves against STIs as an antibiotic-resistant strain of gonorrhoea hits the UK.
A case of neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacteria which causes gonorrhoea, was confirmed in a heterosexual man living in the UK.
The bacteria is resistant to the antibiotic ceftriaxone - the last remaining treatment for the infection.
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Investigations suggest the man, in his early 20s, acquired the infection in London during November. Ceftriaxone resistance is common in the Asia-Pacific region but is rarely found in the UK.
Dr Katy Sinka, STI section head at UKHSA, said: "Finding this strain of gonorrhoea in the UK serves as a stark reminder of the problem of antibiotic resistance in this common sexually transmitted infection (STI).
"To reduce the risk of gonorrhoea and other STIs, we recommend using condoms consistently and correctly with all new or casual partners.
"If you recently developed any STI-related symptoms such as an unusual discharge, avoid sexual contact and get a sexual health screen."
Symptoms to look out for
Typical symptoms of gonorrhoea include a thick green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis, pain when urinating, pain and discomfort in the rectum and, in women and other people with a uterus or ovaries, lower abdominal pain and bleeding between periods.
However, often people infected with gonorrhoea will have no symptoms especially for infections in the throat, vagina or rectum.
Treating gonorrhoea as soon as possible is very important as it can lead to serious long-term health problems, in women and other people with a uterus or ovaries, gonorrhoea can spread to the reproductive organs and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
How to get tested for STIs
STI testing is free is available through online self-sampling services or by contacting local sexual health services.
Getting tested and treated for STIs is straightforward and confidential, and most infections can be cured.
You can make an appointment to go to an STI clinic, or sometimes there's a drop-in clinic, which means you can just turn up without the need for an appointment.
You might feel embarrassed, but there's no need – staff at these clinics are used to testing for all kinds of infections, it's their job and they won't judge you. They should do their best to explain everything to you and make you feel at ease.
You can go to a sexual health clinic whether you're male or female, whatever your age, regardless of whether or not you have STI symptoms. If you're under 16, the service is still confidential and the clinic won't tell your parents.
The doctor or nurse will tell you what tests they think you need. They should explain what is going on and why they are suggesting these tests. If you're not sure about anything, ask them to explain.
The tests might involve:
- a urine (pee) sample
- a blood sample
- swabs from the urethra (the tube urine comes out of)
- an examination of your genitals
- if you're female, swabs from the vagina, which you can usually do yourself
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