Cases of genital herpes are increasing in England, bucking an overall fall in sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the latest data shows.<\/p>\n
Nearly 29,000 people were diagnosed with genital herpes in 2025 \u2013 a 3% rise on the previous year, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).<\/p>\n
Overall, STI diagnoses fell by 8% over the same period, from 364,000 to 334,000, with decreases seen in infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis.<\/p>\n
Health experts say the rise in herpes \u2013 a common virus that spreads easily through skin-to-skin contact \u2013 is a reminder that STIs are a widespread problem and that testing for them is vital.<\/p>\n
Genital herpes can be passed on during vaginal, anal or oral sex, even when there are no visible symptoms. It can also spread if a cold sore comes into contact with the genitals.<\/p>\n
New cases went down during the Covid pandemic – when fewer people came forward for testing – but have been rising again since, although are not yet as high as in 2019 when there were nearly 35,000 new cases diagnosed.<\/p>\n
Despite the recent fall in total STI cases, they remain particularly high among young people and gay and bisexual men, the UKHSA says.<\/p>\n
There were also mixed trends within different groups. Diagnoses of syphilis in gay and bisexual men dropped sharply \u2013 down 19% to their lowest level since 2016. But cases in heterosexual women rose by 5%.<\/p>\n
Chlamydia remained by far the most common infection, accounting for almost half of all diagnoses, followed by gonorrhoea and genital herpes.<\/p>\n
‘Test after sex’<\/p>\n
Dr Hamish Mohammed, a consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, said progress had been made but warned there was “more to do”.<\/p>\n
“These infections can cause serious harm,” he said. “If you have had sex with a new or casual partner without a condom, it’s important to get tested \u2013 even if you don’t have symptoms.”<\/p>\n
He also raised concerns about a drop in chlamydia testing, which fell by 9% in 2025.<\/p>\n
Untreated chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.<\/p>\n
“Sexually active young women are encouraged to test for chlamydia after sex with a new partner or annually,” he added.<\/p>\n
Wearing a condom can prevent the spread of many STIs.<\/p>\n
You can get genital herpes:<\/p>\n
from skin-to-skin contact with the infected area (including vaginal, anal and oral sex)<\/p>\n
when there are no visible sores or blisters<\/p>\n
if a cold sore touches your genitals<\/p>\n
by transferring the infection on fingers from someone else to your genitals<\/p>\n
by sharing sex toys with someone who has herpes<\/p>\n