Sex disease epidemic ‘must be tackled’
Genito-urinary physician Dr Derek Freedman said delays in accessing treatment were extremely significant because it meant the infection was left untreated in the community, increasing the risk of transmission.
“This leaves the potential for complications. In the case of some diseases, where the symptoms are only present for a short period, it means they may have abated before the person with the infection can get an appointment. That person will then not bother visiting the clinic because they think the infection is gone. They are unaware that they are still carrying the bug.”
Urethritis, an inflammation of the tube in the penis, and herpes, were two such infections, said Dr Freedman.
Doctors attending the Irish College of General Practitioners AGM in Galway this weekend will propose a motion condemning the lack of uniform, structured and adequately resourced STD services throughout Ireland.
The proposer, Athlone-based GP Dr Tom Meagher, said the motion arose because there is no STD clinic in the Midlands Health Board area, where his practice is based. The North Eastern Health Board is also without a clinic.
Dr Meagher said his patients are forced to travel to either Galway or Dublin for treatment, where clinics have a four to six-week waiting list. A survey of STD clinics found the average waiting time was four to six weeks.
Dr Meagher said the waiting times, the shortage of genito-urinary specialists (there are just two in the Republic compared to four in Northern Ireland) and the absence of clinics in some areas needed to be tackled urgently.
“In my own area we have seen a significant rise in gonorrhoea infections, chlamydia, ano-genital warts, trichomoniasis and chancroid, more prevalent among 16 to 25-year-olds. We have also seen a rise in the incidence of gonorrhoea among non-nationals.”
The most recent figures for STDs, released by the National Disease Surveillance Centre, showed a trebling of STDs among teens over a six-year period. The number of recorded STDs among those aged 19 and under jumped from 207 in 1995 to 706 in 2001.
Dr Meagher said proper screening and contact tracing were vital in tackling STDs but GPs were not always in a position to do this.
Dr Freedman said current facilities were totally inadequate for the numbers presenting with STDs.
“In Dublin, where there are two clinics (St James’ and the Mater Hospitals) the pressure on services is extreme. Outreach clinics are not properly resourced. The health boards are relying on people to travel to Dublin for treatment.”
Dr Freedman called for a tax on the manufacturers of raw latex, with funds raised ringfenced for investment in STD services and in sex education programmes. Dr Meagher said there was also a need for inspection of skin piercing and tattoo parlours to make sure sterilised needles were being used.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health said the care and management sub-committee of the National AIDS Strategy Committee (NASC) had visited hospitals and health boards involved in the provision of services to people with HIV/AIDS and STDs to identify gaps and make recommendations for the future direction of treatment services.
A treatable bacterial infection that causes painful sores.
A treatable bacterial infection that can scar the fallopian tubes affecting a woman’s ability to have children.
A treatable bacterial infection of the penis, vagina or anus that causes pain, or burning feeling as well as a pus-like discharge. Also known as “the clap”.
Herpes is a recurrent skin condition that can cause skin irritations in the genital region (anus, vagina, penis).
Affects the skin in the genital area, as well as a female’s cervix.
A is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) that affects both women and men, although symptoms are more common in women. It is the most common curable STD in young, sexually active women. It is caused by the single-celled protozoan parasite, Trichomonas vaginalis.
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