Health experts are urging everyone to get tested as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are spreading rapidly across Europe, yet many cases remain undetected or misdiagnosed. New data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reveals a startling rise in infections: gonorrhoea cases have increased by over 300% since 2015, while syphilis diagnoses have more than doubled. In England alone, 2024 saw more than 71,000 cases of gonorrhoea and over 9,500 of syphilis.
A young woman from London shared her personal struggle with a delayed syphilis diagnosis. For more than two years, she endured a range of debilitating symptoms—hair loss, severe brain fog, and personality changes—before finally being tested for syphilis. Initially misdiagnosed with alopecia and suspected autoimmune issues, she felt trapped in uncertainty and stress. “I thought syphilis was a Victorian-era disease, not something I could get nowadays. Thankfully, treatment was straightforward, but I lost two years to that ordeal,” she said.
Valentina Milanova, CEO and founder of sexual health company Daye, highlights the shortcomings of the current healthcare approach. “STI testing is treated as something you do only after symptoms arise, not as a routine preventive measure. Many infections can be asymptomatic but still cause long-term health problems like fertility complications and chronic inflammation. We have to change the cultural perception that STI testing is only for certain groups—sexual health is a vital, routine part of overall healthcare.”
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Adding to concerns, experts warn about the underdiagnosed infection trichomoniasis, known as “trich.” Despite being one of the most common non-viral STIs worldwide, it commonly goes unnoticed. Although transmission mainly occurs through sexual contact, rare cases linked to contaminated wet environments like poorly maintained hot tubs have been reported. Some patients diagnosed with trich report no history of penetrative sex, underscoring the need for better public health education on transmission routes.
Ultimately, the spike in STI rates reflects not only infection spread but also the persistent stigma and reactive nature of testing services. Milanova calls for normalizing regular screening, saying, “We need to treat STI testing like dental check-ups—routine, preventive, and accessible to all.”