The truth about STDs

Experts are warning that Britain faces a sexual health crisis. Blaming increasing promiscuity at ever-younger ages, cases of gonorrhoea and chlamydia increased by 87 per cent and 108 per cent respectively from 1996 to 2001 - and those not using condoms are most at risk. So what are the sexually transmitted diseases, and what can you do about them?

Chlamydia

Cases have more than doubled to 71,255 since 1996, affecting one in seven girls having underage sex. The chlamydia bacteria infects the cervix, although the urethra can be infected in both sexes.

SYMPTOMS: While the majority of women have no symptoms, there may be a slight increase in vaginal discharge, lower abdominal pain, irregular menstrual bleeding and pain during sex. Men are more likely to suffer a white, cloudy discharge and pain on passing urine, but they, too, may have no symptoms.

TREATMENT: Antibiotics, so long as the course is finished.

LONG-TERM RISKS: Untreated, chlamydia can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which can cause infertility and abdominal pain. Complications in men, however, are rare.

Genital herpes

Increasing at a rate of 14 per cent per year, there were 17,850 reported cases of genital herpes in 2001, although the actual figure is believed to be far higher.

Passed on through skin contact with an infected person, the virus can affect the mouth and genital area. After the first outbreak is over, the virus hides away in the nerve fibres and can recur when the sufferer is ill or run down.

SYMPTOMS: Itchy or tingling sores or blisters can develop one to 26 days after exposure to the virus. They last two to three weeks and may be accompanied by flu-like symptoms. Recurrent infections are usually milder.

TREATMENT: Acyclovir tablets taken within 72 hours of the symptoms starting can reduce their severity. Treatment is not essential because the sores clear by themselves. However, they are infectious, so sufferers should avoid sexual and skin contact with their partner until they have cleared.

LONG-TERM RISKS: None.

Gonorrhoea

There are now more than 22,700 cases of gonorrhoea a year - an increase of 87 per cent in five years. Spread through penetrative sex, the bacterial infection can infect the cervix, urethra, anus and throat.

SYMPTOMS: It usually causes a yellow, green or white discharge in men and women, and irritation and burning when passing urine.

TREATMENT: Typically, a course of antibiotics.

LONG-TERM RISKS: Untreated, gonorrhoea can lead to PID, which can cause infertility in women, or ectopic pregnancies.

Thrush

Thrush is caused by the fungal organism candida albicans, which is always present in small quantities in the vaginal passage.

Symptoms occur, however, when it grows out of control because of hot or moist conditions, antibiotics or sexual contact with a partner suffering from candida overgrowth.

SYMPTOMS: A creamy discharge and itching.

TREATMENT: Anti-fungal creams such as Canesten, or pessaries containing 'good bacteria' can clear an infection in five to six days. Your partner should also use a cream and, to prevent reinfection, avoid all sexual contact during treatment.

LONG-TERM RISKS: None.

Genital warts

Cases of genital warts have increased by 12 per cent - to 67,700 - in the past five years. They are spread through skin contact and take one to three months to appear.

SYMPTOMS: Caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), small fleshy growths may appear alone or in groups anywhere on a man or woman's genital area. They may itch, but are usually painless and can be hard to see.

TREATMENT: With podophyllin, a brown liquid which is painted on to the warts and must be washed off four hours later. Freezing them or laser treatment also kills the virus. Often, more than one kind of treatment is needed, and the warts can take up to six months to clear.

LONG-TERM RISKS: Some types of the virus may be linked to changes in cervical cells, which can lead to cancer.

Hepatitis C

These viruses lead to inflammation of the liver, and can be spread through unprotected penetrative sex. An estimated 200,000 people in Britain are thought to have hepatitis C and about 120,000 have hepatitis B.

SYMPTOMS: Causes a flu-like illness with nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Long-term, or acute infection can cause weight loss, jaundice and itchy skin.
Some people don't have any symptoms, but can still pass the virus on to others.

TREATMENT: Hepatitis B or C can be diagnosed through blood tests. While most adults infected with the hepatitis B virus recover naturally and develop life-long immunity, 2-10 per cent become chronic carriers and remain infectious to others.

Eighty per cent of people with hepatitis C remain chronically infected and need regular blood tests and check-ups. Lifestyle changes such as limiting alcohol, avoiding fatty foods and following a low-salt diet - all of which take strain off the liver - are the most effective treatment. Chronic carriers should always use condoms.

LONG-TERM RISKS: It can increase the risk of liver disease and cancer.

Syphilis and HIV

Syphilis and HIV remain less common among the heterosexual population.
Around 2,500 new HIV cases were reported among heterosexuals in Britain last year, 70 per cent of which were contracted in Africa.

And while syphilis has increased by 486 per cent, to just over 700 cases, more than 80 per cent of transmissions were among homosexual men. Left untreated, syphilis can lead to delirium, fatigue and hair loss, but it can be easily treated with penicillin.

HIV can now be managed with drugs, and patients can lead relatively normal lives for years, without ever developing Aids.

WHERE TO GET HELP

Anyone who is worried about sexually transmitted diseases should visit an NHS sexual health clinic - listed in the phone book under genitourinary medicine or at your local hospital - for free, confidential advice and treatment.

Your partner should also be checked and you should abstain from sexual contact until the infection has cleared.

Visit www.playingsafely.co.uk for details of sexually transmitted disease clinics.