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Internet sites blamed for sex disease increase
CASES of syphilis have risen four-fold across Hartlepool in the last year as more people use social networking sites to meet up for casual sex.
The disease was thought to have been almost wiped out, but public health experts have warned that cases across Hartlepool and Teesside are on the increase, with Internet sites being one of the main reasons.
Health bosses have now issued a stark warning that anyone who has unprotected sex with casual partners or strangers is at high risk of developing syphilis and other sexually-transmitted infections.
Public health experts from NHS Hartlepool today urged anyone who thinks they may be at risk to contact their GP or sexual health clinic.
They have also launched campaigns to increase syphilis awareness and screening across the NHS Hartlepool area.
If left untreated, syphilis can result in serious heart, respiratory tract or central nervous system damage, but it can be treated at any stage with antibiotics.
Professor Peter Kelly, executive director of public health for NHS Hartlepool, said: "Unprotected sex, especially with casual partners, is the biggest risk for syphilis. Social networking sites are making it easier for people to meet up for casual sex. It is important that people avoid high-risk sexual behaviours and practise safe sex to protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections."
He added that the condition is especially significant in pregnant women where infection can be passed on to the unborn child leading to miscarriage, stillbirth or problems with the child's development.
For pregnant women it is important to attend for antenatal screening as this can identify syphilis early and allow treatment to be carried out.
Nationally, the highest rates of syphilis are seen in women aged 20 to 24 and men aged 25 to 34. In 2008 there were 3,588 cases diagnosed in UK sexual health clinics.
Symptoms depend on the disease stage. At first it is possible to have no symptoms or to have one or more painless, but highly infectious sores at the site of infection.
For more information on syphilis visit www.hpa.org.uk
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Weather for Hartlepool
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 9 C
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