Students going to Freshers Week were on Wednesday urged to use condoms as health bosses warned of high transmission of sexually transmitted infections in London.
Figures published the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show that nearly a fifth (19 per cent) of chlamydia cases and a quarter (23 per cent) of gonorrhoea cases among people aged 15 to 24 were reported in the capital last year.
Young people are at higher risk of contracting an STI as they change partner more frequently.
Untreated infections can lead to serious health issues, including infertility.
Many people do not show symptoms, meaning that regular testing is crucial to pick up an infection.
Dr Yvonne Young, London Regional Deputy Director for UKHSA, said: “Starting university and college is an exciting time, meeting new people and socialising is an important part of the experience.
“However, London has a significant proportion of sexually transmitted infections compared to other areas of the country, including in young adults, so it’s really important that people are aware of the risks of catching an STI from condomless sex.
“STIs can pose serious consequences to health – both your own and that of current and future sexual partners. If you have sex with a new or casual partner, make sure you use condoms, and regular testing for STIs and HIV is essential to maintain good sexual health.
“Testing is free and confidential and can be accessed through local sexual health clinics, university and college medical centres, or through self-sampling kits sent discreetly through the post.”
Testing for STIs is free and can be accessed through local sexual health clinics, university and college medical centres.
Students without symptoms can also access free STI self-sampling kits if they would prefer a routine check-up in the comfort and privacy of their own home.
Earlier this year, the UKHSA warned that cases of syphilis had hit their highest level since 1948.
While the majority of cases were diagnosed among gay and bisexual men, the UKHSA said there was a larger “proportional rise” in syphilis diagnoses among heterosexual men and women.
Health experts have warned that sexual health services are at crisis point due to a lack of funding, with many councils forced to cut back on testing.
Dr Claire Dewsnap, president of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, warned in January that access to sexual health services was “not good enough” and many clinics have had to ration free condoms.
“People do use them if they’re available free, and people do still ask for them,” she told MPs at the Women and Equalities Committee (WEC).
“But in many clinics, unfortunately, as horrific as this sounds, we ration how many we give.”
