Total STI Diagnoses in England Fall 8% as Genital Herpes Rises Modestly 3%

Nearly 29,000 people were diagnosed with genital herpes in England in 2025, a 3 percent increase from 2024, according to data released by the UK Health Security Agency. The same figures show total STI diagnoses fell 8 percent, from 364,000 in 2024 to 334,000 in 2025. The BBC reported that diagnoses of chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis all decreased during the year.

Chlamydia remained the most common infection, accounting for almost half of all STI cases. Genital herpes cases had declined during the Covid pandemic when fewer people sought testing, then rose again afterward. The 2025 total remains below the nearly 35,000 new cases recorded in 2019.

Syphilis diagnoses among gay and bisexual men dropped 19 percent to their lowest level since 2016. Cases among heterosexual women rose 5 percent over the same period. STI rates stayed highest among young people and gay and bisexual men.

Chlamydia testing fell 9 percent in 2025. Dr Hamish Mohammed, consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, said progress had been made but warned there was more to do. "These infections can cause serious harm," he said.

He raised concerns about the drop in chlamydia testing and noted that untreated chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. Sexually active young women are encouraged to test for chlamydia after sex with a new partner or annually. Genital herpes spreads through skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal or oral sex, even without visible symptoms.

It can also be transmitted if a cold sore touches the genitals, by transferring the virus on fingers, or by sharing sex toys. Common symptoms include unusual discharge from the vagina, penis or anus, pain when urinating, and sores around the genitals or anus. Wearing a condom can prevent transmission of many STIs.

Testing remains free and confidential at sexual health clinics, university medical centres and through postal self-sampling kits.