Health Protection Agency statistics show that the number of sexually transmitted infections is on a steady increase in the UK. Overall between 2004 and 2005 there was a 3 percent rise in the diagnosis of sex infections, the report said.
The maximum increase was reported in syphilis cases at 23 percent, but Chlamydia, genital warts and herpes also increased significantly. However new cases of gonorrhea fell by 13 percent. The highest increase again was seen in the 16 to 24 age group.HPA infections expert Professor Peter Borriello said the report had a mixed message. "However, it is disappointing to see that there was a further rise in new diagnoses of STIs and these figures show there is still much to be done to tackle the continuing spread of infection."
He added that some progress could be made by putting in better diagnostic measures at sexual health clinics. "Today's figures serve as a reminder for people to take responsibility for their own sexual health and that of their partners and to use a condom with new and casual partners."
Chlamydia was the most common STI with 109,832 new cases in 2005 Jan Barlow, chief executive of Brook, the sexual health charity for young people, said the main problem was being complicated by deficits in NHS trusts. "In some areas facing financial pressures, money earmarked for sexual health services has apparently been diverted to help balance the books."
