Gonorrhoea in Switzerland: the sharp rise is levelling off — what the latest figures show
The latest official figures tell a less dramatic but still important story. Switzerland's Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) recorded 6,895 reported gonorrhoea cases in 2025. That was 0.4% more than in 2024, equivalent to 75.84 reports per 100,000 residents. After a marked rise compared with the pre-pandemic period, case notifications therefore broadly levelled off in 2025. The FOPH's wider assessment of sexually transmitted infections also describes the available six-month trend as stable overall, while warning that individual months can vary substantially.
That is neither an all-clear nor a reason for alarm. Reported cases are diagnoses that reached the notification system; they are not automatically the same as every infection in the population. Changes in testing can also affect the figures. The data therefore supports two conclusions: the level remains high, but 2025 did not bring a new explosive rise. For an individual's risk, their own sexual contacts and tailored testing advice matter more than any single monthly figure.
Gonorrhoea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. According to the FOPH, it can be transmitted through unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex, and it can also pass from mother to child during birth. The infection can affect the genitals, rectum, mouth and throat. Throat and rectal infections in particular are often present without obvious symptoms.
When symptoms occur, the FOPH says they commonly begin two to seven days after infection. They can include pain when urinating, unusual or purulent discharge, redness or irritation. Without treatment, the infection can spread and affect the pelvis, prostate or epididymis. Infertility is a possible long-term consequence; less common complications involving the joints, skin, heart or eyes are also documented. Someone without symptoms can still have and transmit the infection.
Official Swiss LOVE LIFE guidance recommends testing when symptoms appear, after a higher-risk situation or when a sexual partner has tested positive. Regular testing is particularly recommended for gay, bisexual and queer men, and other men who have sex with men, when they have changing sexual partners. Testing for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia can also be useful when starting a new monogamous relationship. The right interval is personal: LOVE LIFE's Safer Sex Check, Checkpoints and other counselling and testing centres can help decide what fits an individual's situation.
Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection treated with antibiotics. The appropriate test and treatment should be determined by a healthcare professional. That matters because antibiotic resistance is increasing: the FOPH warns about resistant strains, while the World Health Organization describes shrinking treatment options as a global public-health concern. After a positive diagnosis, informing sexual partners allows them to seek advice, testing and treatment where needed.
In practical terms: do not wait for symptoms if there is a specific reason to test; contact a doctor, Checkpoint or another testing service promptly if symptoms occur; and take antibiotics only as directed by a professional. This article explains public data and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
