Sexually Transmitted Disease(STD)
Drawbacks of the good life
While HIV/AIDS gets the headlines new records are being set more for old-fashioned forms of Sexually Transmitted Disease(STD). In an age where many people have come to regard sex as a recreational activity disconnected from any relationship let alone marriage, it seems our attitudes towards STD have changed. There's no outcry when we hear of yet another massive increase in the rate of STD, yet the outcome for the individual can be serious even if it can be treated. The decline in sexual health is an accepted cost young people in the UK seem willing to pay for their lifestyle.
As with HIV/AIDS this is a man made health problem caused by casual sex and is caused by the choices people make. It's not like a cold that you can get from simply breathing in air; to catch an STD you have to have sex with an infected person.
Setting new records for STD
This graph shows that the UK has experienced a massive increase in STD over the last 10 years. This occurred in a period when the NHS in general and the genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics in particular had a significant increase in spending. While the rate of increase slowed between 2004-2006 it seems to have resumed it's strong growth. The resistance demonstrated by the growth in STD suggests that the driving force behind it is much stronger than the remedy prescribed by the government.
STD trend for the UK
Source: HPA STD diagnoses
STD trend breakdown
This graph breaks down the overall growth in new STD diagnoses into it's 5 main causes:
- Syphilis (primary and secondary)
- Gonorrhoea (uncomplicated)
- Chlamydia (uncomplicated)
- Herpes (first attack)
- Genital Warts (first attack)
STD trend breakdown
Source: HPA STD diagnoses
While all types of STD show strong growth Chlamydia climbs to the top position. Surveys of women at GUM clinics show that 8.1% of those under 20 and 5.2% of those between 20-24 are infected with Chlamydia. A survey in antenatal clinics found a rate of 12.6% and that for abortion clinics found a rate of 12.3%, so rates do vary considerabley and the trend is for them to increase.
After reaching a low in the early 90's the rates for Gonorrhoea rose until 2002 then began to drop back slightly. The rates of infection are at their highest at 174/100,000 for men in the age group 20-24, and at 137/100,000 for women in the age group 16 to 19.
STD growth comparison
While the rise in the rates of Chlamydia is the big story a comparison of the growth rates over the 10 year period highlight the comback of Syphilis with an stagering increase of 1828%. Fortunately it is still at a low level compared with other STI's, but if infections continues to grow at this rate it could become a serious risk. Prior to HIV/AIDS it was the most serious of all STD's, and for many years there was no effective treatment until antibiotics were discovered. It can still be serious and if left untreated it can cause: organ failure, mental illness and death.
STD growth breakdown
Source: HPA STD diagnoses
Overall rates of STD are up 63% in just 10 years and with the a higher and increasing risk in some areas or communities. As a community the UK is running higher health risks in this area because of life style choices, and these are the cause of the rise in STI.
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