Monday, July 23, 2007
STIs continue to increase during 2006
At the launch of its fourth annual report, the Health Protection Agency announced that the number of new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) diagnosed in genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics in the UK rose by 2% from 368,341 in 2005 to 376,508 in 2006.
Launching the report, Professor Pat Troop said “There is mixed news in these figures. The good news is that gonorrhoea has gone down again, but the worrying picture is that of increasing levels of viral STIs like herpes and warts and in particular in young adults. Between 2005 and 2006 new diagnoses of genital herpes increased by 9% and genital warts by 3%. It is important to remember that herpes infections are carried for life, and although the symptoms are treatable many people will continue to suffer from recurrences”
- Chlamydia increased by 4% (from 109,418 in 2005 to 113,585 in 2006)
- Genital warts increased by 3% (from 81,201 in 2005 to 83,745 in 2006)
- Genital herpes increased by 9% (from 19,830 in 2005 to 21,698 in 2006)
- Syphilis decreased by 1% (from 2,804 in 2005 to 2,766 in 2006)
Gonorrhoea decreased by 1% (from 19,248 in 2005 to 19,007 in 2006) - Figures for other STIs such as pubic lice and non-specific genital infection decreased by 0.1% (from 135,840 in 2005 to 135,707 in 2006)
Dr Gwenda Hughes, Head of the STI Section at the Agency said, “The groups who we are most concerned about are young adults and gay men and it's crucial that we reach these groups with messages about safe sex, including condom wearing, and the importance of getting tested if they feel they've put themselves at risk of contracting an STI. One way to control chlamydia in young adults is the National Chlamydia Screening Programme, which aims to provide a test each year to sexually active under 25 year-olds in health settings outside of GUM clinics. 51% of primary care trusts are screening and a further 34% of PCTs are about to begin screening.”
“We have seen a continued and substantial increase in infections amongst gay men. This is of concern because by engaging in unsafe sex these men are also placing themselves at risk of HIV infection.
“The continued rise in the number of people being diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections is in part due to more people coming forward for testing as they are more aware of these infections. During 2006, nearly one million people were screened for an STI at a GUM clinic and the number of people having an HIV test has been increasing each year. The more people who are screened the more will be diagnosed and this will help in the control of these infections.”
Professor Troop continued: “Monitoring of STIs and other infectious diseases forms only one part of the Agency's work in safeguarding the UK 's public health. Our fourth annual report illustrates the many other areas in which the Agency has made significant progress in protecting people's health over the last year. For example, the extensive follow-up of those involved in the Polonium-210 incident, work in tackling blood borne infections such as hepatitis B and C in the prison community, and continuing to assist the NHS in tacking healthcare associated infections such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile . The Agency also runs exercises to strengthen emergency planning, such as exercise Winter Willow which was the largest live exercise since the Cold War and tested pandemic flu planning. "
Labels: chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, sti, syphilis
