Rise in sexually transmitted diseases

ALMOST 5,000 sexually transmitted infections were reported during the first half of 2001 — more than double the annual total for 1989.

When compared to the first six months of 2000, the latest statistics from the National Disease Surveillance Centre show that STIs are up 10%, with the largest increases in bacterial infections like syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia.

The annual total for 2001 is now expected to be well up on the previous year’s total when 8,869 STIs were reported.

The total number of STIs notified in the first six months of 2001, at 4,817, is higher than the annual totals for each year from 1989 to 1995.

A comparison of the 2001 half-year figure with the same period in 2000 shows a twelvefold increase in syphilis; gonorrhoea is up almost 80% and herpes saw a rise of 36%.

NDSC specialist in public health medicine Dr Mary Cronin said that while the increases in reported cases reflected unsafe sexual practices, other factors included increased testing for chlamydia, greater public and professional awareness of STIs.

In the second quarter of 2001, 2,440 STIs were notified to the NDSC, compared to 2,145 during the same quarter in 2000, an increase of more than 13%.

Dr Cronin warned that 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.

The sharp rise in the number of syphilis cases was largely driven by an outbreak of the disease in Dublin. The disease transmission largely occurred in the gay and bisexual community.

Syphilis notifications increased during the second quarter of 2001, an increase of more than 30% from the previous quarter and up 900% from the same quarter in 2000.

“In 1999 the incidence of syphilis reached its lowest level in 10 years when there were only six cases. Since then we have seen

almost 500 cases,” Dr Cronin pointed out. The dramatic rise in chlamydia, at 754 for the first six months of 2001, represents a threefold increase over the annual total for 1995 and also reflects an increase in testing for the disease.

Although chlamydia is very treatable it can lead to infertility or ectopic pregnancy in women, conditions that are irreversible.

“The problem with chlamydia is that in 70% of cases there are no signs or symptoms so people, especially women, who feel they might be at risk should get themselves checked out,” said Dr Cronin.

The increase in STIs is not unique to Ireland, she pointed out. Similar trends were reported throughout western Europe and in the US. However, the trend underlined the need to reinforce the safe sex message.