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Vienna (pte042/18.06.2003/16:54) - At the start of the summer holiday season doctors have warned of the dangers of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, as these continue to spread at an alarming rate.
In the past few years the number of cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has risen dramatically. The number of cases of syphilis climbed 338 per cent between 1993 and 2002, with a similar increase in cases of gonorrhoea.
At a presentation on the dangers of STIs doctor Stephan Madersbacher said that unprotected sexual contact, high promiscuity, sex tourism and prostitution had been responsible for this rise, in spite of warnings about the risk of contracting HIV.
"300 to 400 people are afflicted with STIs around the world. 90 per cent of these are below the age of 40, but many of the patients are much younger," said Madersbacher, who is a director of urology at a hospital in Vienna http://www.wienkav.at/kav/dsp .
According to the World Bank, STIs are the second largest cost factor in illnesses among 15 to 44-year-olds. The trend can even be observed in Vienna. "Our youngest patient last week was only 16 years old," said Madersbacher. "Girls are afraid of getting pregnant and take the pill, but no one is afraid of getting an infection," he said.
The figures are worse in countries like Russia. "In some regions the number of cases has multiplied by the hundreds," said Madersbacher. "One enormous problem is diagnosis, as this is hardly taught in training any more. Most young doctors have never seen syphilis in its primary stage."
But the dangers of these diseases are as serious as ever. In the late stadium, both syphilis and gonorrhoea can cause permanent neurological or physical damage. Madersbacher has demanded improved measures to train doctors and raise awareness.
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