References UK clinical guidance from the NHS, the British HIV Association (BHIVA), and the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH). Last updated: April 2026.
STIs are more common in the UK than many people realise. Hundreds of thousands of new diagnoses are made each year, and rates of several infections have been rising in recent years. Understanding the scale of the issue helps normalise testing and reduces stigma — STIs are a routine part of public health, not a moral failing.
Here’s a snapshot of the current picture.
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The UK Picture
According to UK Health Security Agency data, hundreds of thousands of new STI diagnoses are made in England alone each year. The most commonly diagnosed include:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhoea
- Genital warts
- Genital herpes
- Syphilis
Chlamydia: The Most Common Bacterial STI
- The most frequently diagnosed bacterial STI in the UK
- Most common in people under 25
- Often silent, so many more cases go undiagnosed
- Home test kits and clinic testing easily available
Gonorrhoea: On the Rise
- Diagnosis rates have risen significantly in recent years
- Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern
- Increasingly common in men who have sex with men
- Throat and rectal infections often missed
Syphilis: Also Rising
- UK syphilis rates have climbed over the last decade
- Higher rates in gay and bisexual men
- Easily curable with early treatment
- Routine screening in antenatal care and sexual health clinics
HIV in the UK
Approximately 106,000 people are living with HIV in the UK. Over 95% are diagnosed, of whom over 98% are on treatment and over 97% are virally suppressed. New infections have been declining, particularly among gay and bisexual men thanks to PrEP, testing and U=U.
HPV
HPV is extremely common — most sexually active adults will encounter at least one type in their lifetime. Most infections clear naturally. The UK HPV vaccination programme protects against the types most likely to cause cancer.
Herpes
Herpes is widespread in the UK. Most adults carry HSV-1. HSV-2 (genital herpes) is carried by a significant minority. Many people don’t know they have it.
Who Is Most Affected?
- Young people under 25 — highest rates of chlamydia and gonorrhoea
- Men who have sex with men — higher rates of syphilis, gonorrhoea, HIV and hepatitis
- Black African and Caribbean communities — disproportionately affected by some STIs
- People with multiple partners or inconsistent protection
Why Rates Are Rising
- Better testing means more diagnoses
- Reduced condom use in some communities
- Growing sexual networks
- Antibiotic resistance in gonorrhoea
- Stigma still prevents some from testing
The Good News
- Free NHS testing and treatment
- Home test kits available
- PrEP for HIV prevention
- HPV and hepatitis B vaccination
- Early treatment cures or manages almost every STI
Read more: HIV prevalence in the UK | Herpes UK statistics | Reducing STI risk
Frequently Asked Questions
Which STI is most common in the UK?
Chlamydia is the most frequently diagnosed bacterial STI. HPV is the most common viral STI overall.
Are STI rates rising or falling?
Many STIs have been rising in recent years, though HIV new infections are declining. Gonorrhoea and syphilis in particular are trending upward.
Who should test most often?
Young people under 25, MSM, and anyone with new or multiple partners should test more frequently — at least annually, often every 3-6 months.
Related reading
- A to Z of Sex: Sexual Health Terms Explained
- Alcohol and HIV: What You Need to Know
- Anxiety and HIV: Coping and Getting Support
- Are All STIs Curable?
- Blood Problems and HIV: Anaemia, Low Platelets and More
Sources
- NHS — Sexual health conditions
- BASHH — UK clinical guidelines for STI management
- British HIV Association (BHIVA) — HIV treatment guidelines
- Terrence Higgins Trust — sexual health information
- UK Health Security Agency — STI surveillance data
Steve Page is a recognised expert on Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and STD treatments, having published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and presented his research at conferences around the world. He has an in-depth understanding of the latest medical research on STDs, and is an advocate for the development of new treatments and protocols to improve the health of those affected. In addition to his research, he has dedicated his career to understanding the causes and symptoms of STDs, as well as how to best treat those impacted.
