BRITS travelling to four holiday hotspots have been warned of a "concerning" uptick in a drug-resistant sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Health officials have stressed one precaution is "just as important" as putting on sunscreen.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a stark warning about a rise in antibiotic-resistant cases of gonorrhoea, dubbed 'super gonorrhoea' - particularly in popular tourist destinations.
In a post to X, formerly Twitter, it said: "Our latest data shows a rise in antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea cases, particularly in popular tourist destinations across the Asia-Pacific region."
Providing more information in a blog post, it added: "When enjoying holidays overseas, practising safer sex is just as important as getting travel insurance or applying sunscreen.
"STIs can pose a serious risk to health, so there is a need to use condoms consistently and correctly with all new or casual partners."
Countries where infections have been found to be most common include Thailand, China, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
These are tourism hotspots for travellers from the UK, particularly for young backpackers.
Drug resistant gonorrhoea infections have also been reported in UK residents who have travelled to mainland Europe, according to the Travel Health Pro website, which is supported by UKHSA.
Gonorrhoea is a STI typically contracted through having unprotected sexual intercourse, according to NHS advice.
While it's generally treatable, it's developed resistance to various antibiotics.
Advice from the UKHSA's blog says: "Gonorrhoea has developed resistance to various antibiotics, including ceftriaxone - considered the 'last-line' treatment option.
"This means healthcare providers have limited alternatives when this treatment fails.
"While ceftriaxone resistance remains uncommon in the UK, cases are being detected with increasing frequency."
Alarming data suggests that ceftriaxone-resistant cases have risen from around two per year until 2021 to two per month in 2024.
Brits have also been encouraged to stay alert to the key symptoms of gonorrhoea.
NOT everyone gets symptoms of gonorrhoea. So it's important to get tested if you think you might have it.
But if you do get symptoms, they usually start around two weeks after infection - although they sometimes do not appear until many months later.
Symptoms in women can include:
Symptoms in men can include:
Other parts of the body can be affected if they come into contact with semen or vaginal fluid, such as anus, throat and eyes.
This can cause:
Go to a sexual health clinic or see a GP if you or a sexual partner think you might have gonorrhoea, you or a sexual partner have had sex without a condom, or you're pregnant or planning to get pregnant and think you might have gonorrhoea.
Source: NHS
Untreated gonorrhoea can lead to serious complications, including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women, infertility in both men and women, and the potential for infection to spread to the blood or joints.
Additionally, untreated gonorrhoea during pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and eye infections in newborns.
Holidaymakers are also being urged to get tested for the STI upon their return to the UK if they've had unprotected sex while abroad.
This is vital even if no symptoms present, because they can take weeks or months to appear.
For prospective travellers, the UKHSA recommends the following: "When you are planning a trip abroad, visit the to find out more about health risks in your destination.
"With resistant infections becoming more common prevention remains crucial.
"Using condoms with new or casual partners is the best way to protect yourself both at home and abroad."
Sexual health clinic: You can make an appointment or, in some cases, drop in without an appointment.
GP surgeries: Some GPs offer STI testing and treatment.
Pharmacies: Some pharmacies offer STI testing and can provide confidential consultations.
Young people's services: Services specifically for young people offer STI testing and can be contacted via the national sexual health helpline 0300 123 7123.
Self-test kits: These kits can be ordered online or obtained from pharmacies or clinics.
SHL.UK: offers free NHS-funded gonorrhoea home test kits for London.
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