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Sex infections in young up again Sex infections in young up again
(30 minutes later)
Sex infections continue to rise with experts issuing a stark warning over the behaviour of young people.Sex infections continue to rise with experts issuing a stark warning over the behaviour of young people.
There was a 6% increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the UK in 2007, compared to the previous year, the Health Protection agency said. There was a 6% increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the UK in 2007, compared to the previous year, the Health Protection Agency said.
Half of those were in young people aged 16-24, despite the fact that they represent just one in eight of the total population. Half of the overall total were in young people aged 16-24, despite the fact that they represent just one in eight of the total population.
The HPA said youngsters needed to be tested regularly, and take more care.The HPA said youngsters needed to be tested regularly, and take more care.
Professor Peter Borriello, HPA director of HPA centre for infections, said: "It is increasingly the case that many young people see a casual shag as part of the territory, it is part of life. class="bodl" href="#endemic">See figures for sexually transmitted infections
"Increasingly a shag now stands for syphilis, herpes, anal warts and gonorrhea." Professor Peter Borriello, director of the HPA's Centre for Infections, said: "It is increasingly the case that many young people see a casual shag as part of the territory, it is part of life."
Young people still aren't getting the education and the services they need to manage their health and relationships Lisa Power, of the Terrence Higgins Trust
But he added: "Increasingly a shag now stands for syphilis, herpes, anal warts and gonorrhea."
Across all age groups 397,990 new STIs were diagnosed in UK sexual health clinics in 2007 - an increase from 375,843 in 2006.Across all age groups 397,990 new STIs were diagnosed in UK sexual health clinics in 2007 - an increase from 375,843 in 2006.
The 16-24-year-old age group accounted for 65% of all new chlamydia cases diagnosed in 2007. The 16-24-year-old age group accounted for 65% of all new chlamydia cases diagnosed in 2007, 55% of genital warts and 50% of gonorrhoea.
It also accounted for 55% of all new cases of genital warts, and 50% of all new cases of gonorrhoea. But to put this in context just over 1% of this age group tested positive for chalmydia, which is the most common type of infection.
Overall chlamydia and genital warts were up 7%, while herpes increased by 20% - although this was partly put down to a better testing technique. Both gonorrhoea and syphilis fell slightly.
More tests
However, some of the rises have been attributed to more people being tested.
A national chlamydia screening programme has been in the process of being rolled out since 2003.
And overall the number of screens has risen by 10% in the past year and by 61% since 2007.
Lisa Power, of the Terrence Higgins Trust, acknowledged better testing was playing a key role.
But she added: "Young people still aren't getting the education and the services they need to manage their health and relationships."
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SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASES

Diagnoses through Genito-Urinary Medicine clinics

  2006 new episodes 2007 new episodes Change 2007 new episodes (16-24 yrs) Prop among 16-24 yrs (as % of all new diagnoses) Chlamydia 113,783 121,986 7% 79,557 65% Gonorrhoea 18,898 18,710 -1% 9,410 50% Syphilis 2,684 2,680 -0.15% 447 17% Herpes 21,797 26,062 20% 11,252 43% Genital warts 83,624 89,838 7% 49,250 55% All new STIs* 375,843 397,990 6% N/A   Source: HPA
* Includes infections not in above table