Sexual disease rate continues to rise

Sexually transmitted infections are continuing to rise in the UK, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has reported.

The HPA’s latest figures show a 2% increase in the number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and other conditions diagnosed in genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics between 2003 and 2004.

The figures showed the biggest increase was in syphilis, which increased by 37%, while chlamydia, the most common sexually transmitted disease, increased by 8%. The number of cases of genital warts also increased by 4%, although gonorrhoea cases decreased by 10% and cases of genital herpes also fell by 1%.

Dr Helen Ward, an STI expert at the Agency’s Centre for Infections said a further rise in new diagnoses was “disappointing”, but said that some encouragement could be taken from the slower growth seen in recent years.

Dr Ward said: “These figures show that the overall increase in STIs has continued in the last year. However, some of the increase, in chlamydia for example, is to be expected since it reflects the greater availability of testing to detect cases that otherwise would remain undiagnosed. Overall, there is a long way to go before we have turned the tide in reducing the spread of STIs and prevent the many cases of infertility that follow for women.”

Dr Ward said that the figures were a reminder of how vital it was for people to take responsibility for their own, and their partner’s, sexual health and urged people to use condoms with new and casual partners.

Dr Ward added: “Quick diagnosis is of the essence, so anyone who thinks they may have put themselves at risk of contracting an STI, or who has symptoms of an STI should go to a GUM clinic or seek advice from their GP at the earliest opportunity.”

(KMcA/SP)