Sexually transmitted infections on the rise in Italia: only HIV remains stable, but diagnosis is delayed
Surge in gonorrhoea and chlamydia cases, with many affecting young people
Key points
From chlamydia to gonorrhoea: sexually transmitted infections in Italia are still on the rise, with 8,000 more cases (+12 per cent) recorded between 2023 and 2024. This is revealed in a report by the two surveillance systems coordinated by the Italian National Institute of Health, to mark World Sexually Transmitted Infections Day, which takes place every year on 4 September as part of the ‘World Sexual and Reproductive Health Month’ proclaimed by the WHO. The theme chosen for this year’s day is ‘Every Body’.
“Every Body” – writes the World Association of Sexual Health – is the theme of World Sexual Health Day 2026: a declaration that sexual health, rights, justice and pleasure belong to every person, in every body, without exception”.
The surge in chlamydia and gonorrhoea
The National Institute of Health reports a surge in chlamydia cases (+41.5 per cent), with a 61.2 per cent increase in cases amongst men who have sex with men (MSM). The prevalence of chlamydia infection by age group is highest amongst the youngest age group – those aged 15–24 – compared with those over 24 (in 2024: 8.3% vs 2.7%).
Reports of gonorrhoea are also on the rise: they have increased fivefold between 2010 and 2024, peaking in 2024 with 1,555 reported cases. Specifically, between 2021 and 2024, there was an 84.0 per cent increase in reported cases of gonorrhoea.
‘Stable’ HIV but late diagnosis
The ISS AIDS Operations Centre, on the other hand, reports a stable number of new HIV diagnoses in Italia, which stood at 2,379 in 2024 compared with 2,507 in 2023, but the proportion of people diagnosed at a late stage (with low CD4 counts or already in the AIDS stage) remains too high.
The helpline and the network of 61 centres
To obtain scientifically accurate, up-to-date and personalised information on HIV infection, AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections – as the ISS points out – you can call the ISS’s AIDS and STI Freephone Helpline on 800 861061 from anywhere in Italia. The service also coordinates the ReTe AIDS network, sharing scientific content, operational methodologies, data collection systems and the National Database of Public Diagnostic and Clinical Centres with 11 other helplines, 61 of which are specifically involved in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections. Since 2013, the AIDS and STI Helpline has been complemented by the website www.uniticontrolaids.it, along with the ‘uniticontrolaids’ YouTube channel.
