Sexually transmitted infections in men who have sex with men.

For the first time in 10 years, there has been a fall in the number of diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in England; new diagnoses fell by 1%. Infection rates continue to grow among gay men and other men who have sex with men. Men who have sex with men are at more risk of developing an STI than other men in the population. This article considers the overall trends and diagnoses of STIs in England. A focus in particular on men who have sex with men is provided with an emphasis on lymphogranuloma venereum. Data is presented in order to provide the nurse with an overview of trends and the burden of STIs on this group of people; STIs are still on the increase in men who have sex with men. This article makes recommendations for action and emphasises the important role of the nurse in making men who have sex with men a priority for targeted HIV and STI prevention and health promotion work.