Rise Of Syphilis In UK 'driven by gay men'

The number of cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) diagnosed in the UK has continued to rise, according to official figures released today.
Statistics from the Health Protection Agency showed that the number of STIs and other conditions diagnosed in genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics in the UK increased by 3% between 2004 and 2005.
The breakdown shows cases of chlamydia increased by 5% (from 104,840 in 2004 to 109,832 in 2005) and syphilis by 23% (from 2,278 cases in 2004 to 2,807 in 2005). Genital warts increased by 1% and genital herpes by 4% but cases of gonorrhoea deceased by 13% (from 22,350 in 2004 to 19,495 in 2005).
The figures showed that cases of syphilis and gonorrhoea were particularly rising among gay men.
New syphilis cases were almost two and a half times higher among women than in men.
Professor Peter Borriello, director of the HPA's Centre for Infections, said the rate of increase of STIs year on year was slowing and he welcomed the "easing off of that curve".
The figures showed that cases of chlamydia rose by 223% between 1996 and 2005, genital warts were up 26%, genital herpes up 18% and gonorrhoea up 55%. Syphilis increased in the same period by a massive 1,949%.
STI expert Dr Barry Evans said the increase in syphilis was mostly among men but a lot of the rise "was being driven by gay men".
He added: "Syphilis is a disease that has almost been eradicated 10 years ago.
"From the late 1990s, 2000 onwards, there's been an increase, but it was at a very low level in the 1990s."
Gonorrhoea was also rising among that group, he said.
"One of the messages in terms of trying to reach gay men is that their sexual health is worsening," he added.
He said 30-40% of the new cases of syphilis were likely to be due to transmission through oral sex, an act that was generally considered safe, he went on.
Dr Evans added that, overall, the increase in STIs did not seem to be driven by sex workers.
The decrease in gonorrhoea could be due to cyclical changes that had been seen before.
The data showed a huge drop in the number of diagnosed cases in the late 1980s, at the height of the HIV awareness campaign.
But, Dr Evans added, while rates of gonorrhoea were down among heterosexuals, they continued to rise among gay men.
Prof Borriello said the figure showed that "real progress is being made" but said it was disappointing there was a further rise overall.
He added that an increase in diagnoses could be one reason for the continued rise.
"These figures show there is still much to be done to tackle the continuing spread of infection.
"We have seen increases over the past year in new diagnoses of chlamydia, syphilis, genital warts and genital herpes.
"Some of this increase may reflect the greater availability of testing which helps detect cases which would otherwise remain undiagnosed.
"But the overall trend of increasing numbers shows the full extent of the challenge facing healthcare professionals as they try to limit the spread of STIs," Prof Borriello said
The figures showed that rates of most STIs continued to rise, particularly among young people.
Prof Borriello said there was a tendency to treat STIs in of a flippant manner.
"It's a dose of the clap, you go and get an antibiotic, so what's the big deal?
"I think the big deal is that HIV seriously depletes the immune system and is killing millions of people across the world as we speak.
"Human papilloma virus can give you cancer, chlamydia can make you sterile, syphilis can cause brain disease and any of them can cause congenital malformations.
"I believe we need to shatter the complacency that exists among young people (about these diseases)."
HIV figures will be released later this year.
Anne Weyman, chief executive of the fpa, said: "The combined effect of increased testing, such as the chlamydia testing programme, and greater public awareness about sexually transmitted infections means that more people are coming forward for testing and treatment.
"However, there is grave concern about whether services can cope with this extra demand and pressure."
She said money had been allocated but "primary care trusts faced with crippling budget deficits are skimming off this money to soak up costs".
She added: "This extra allocation of money only lasts until 2008. Unless genitourinary medicine (GUM) services are properly modernised now, they never will be.
"Although there has been some improvement in waiting times, almost half of patients (46%) are still unable to access GUM clinics within 48 hours.
"There are also massive regional variations around the country - 37% of people in the North East are seen within 48 hours compared with 69% in London.
"This is totally unacceptable - especially as the deadline for a maximum 48 hour waiting time is less than two years away."
Jan Barlow, chief executive of Brook, the sexual health charity for young people, said: "These figures illustrate how desperately investment in sexual health services is needed.
"It is therefore extremely worrying that in some areas facing financial pressures, money earmarked for sexual health services has apparently been diverted to help balance the books.
"This cannot be allowed to continue at a time when waiting times for sexual health treatment remain far longer than the 48 hour target set by the Government.
"The Government needs to prioritise prevention too. Young people are particularly at risk of contracting an infection such as chlamydia. They need to ensure that every young person has the information they need to protect themselves, and this means requiring schools to teach sex and relationships education as a compulsory part of the national curriculum."
Nick Partridge, chief executive of the Terrence Higgins Trust, said: "Rates of chlamydia and many other STIs are continuing to rise.
"The Government has prioritised sexual health and there now needs to be action locally.
"Getting an appointment at a sexual health clinic must be quick and easy, treatment must be swift and we need to keep pushing home the safer sex message. It's more important than ever."
A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said: "The record amount of funding invested in sexual health clearly proves it is a key priority for Government. But everyone has a responsibility to look after themselves and others too.
"Although we have seen an increase in the number of STIs over the years, the rate of increase is now slowing down.
"We've committed over £300 million for sexual health, improving access to GUM and contraceptive services, rolling out our groundbreaking National Chlamydia Screening Programme across the country and funding innovative schemes such as the chlamydia testing service in all high street Boots stores across London.
"We've also reduced VAT on contraception, making it cheaper than ever before to have safe sex.
"But people need to realise that if they don't protect themselves they could end up with a serious sexually transmitted infection that could affect their long term health."
from 24dash.com