Figures show sharp rise in sexual diseases

Unsafe sexual practices contributed to a 10 per cent rise in the number of sexually transmitted infections in the State during the first six months of 2001 compared with the equivalent period the pervious year.

In a report today, the National Disease Surveillance Centre (NDSC) noted that bacterial infections like syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia showed the sharpest rise.

There were 2,440 cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) from January to June 2001. The majority of those cases, 1,299, were reported amongst males.

The 20 to 29-years-of-age group had the highest incidence of cases (28.89 per cent) followed by the 30 to 39 -years-of-age cohort. The report notes, however, that in more than half of all cases the age was not reported.

Dr Mary Cronin, NDSC specialist in public health medicine, said factors contributing to the rise in STI include increased testing for chlamydia and greater public and professional awareness of STIs.

"I would urge those who are sexually active to practice safe sex, as most STIs are preventable. Many STIs, like chlamydia, often have no signs or symptoms so if somebody has put them self at risk they should get checked out as soon as possible.

"Almost all STIs are easily treated and cured if identified, but early diagnosis is important as, in some cases, irreversible complications including infertility and ectopic pregnancies can arise.

"Those who have a sexually transmitted infection are also more vulnerable to HIV, and have a higher chance of passing on, or acquiring the disease.

She said the most commonly reported infections were anogenital warts, non specific urethritis and chlamydia. Syphilis cases showed the sharpest increase, up 1233 per cent. The number of gonorrhoea infections was up by 80 per cent while herpes cases rose 36 per cent.