Gold Coast high-risk for chlamydia breakout according to leading doctors

AN aggressive and rare strain of chlamydia which causes plague-like lumps is at risk of breaking out on the Gold Coast. Here’s why doctors are worried.

The Coast’s party town culture puts it at risk of the plague-like disease

THE Glitter Strip’s party town culture is a high risk factor for Gold Coasters contracting an aggressive and rare strain of chlamydia which causes plague-like lumps, according to health experts.

Three cases of lymphogranuloma venereum were seen on the Gold Coast last year — the first recorded in five years.

The cases cames amid an upsurge in sexually transmitted infections in the last five years, with Gold Coast Health figures showing chlamydia has risen by 1259 cases, syphilis by 87 and Gonorrhoea by a disturbing 335.

Dr Sonu Haikerwal from the Gold Coast Medical Association (GCMA) said she was not surprised by the figures.

Three cases have been recorded at Gold Coast University Hospital in 2017. Picture Mike Batterham

“To get a sexually transmitted disease we foot soldiers look at the lifestyle of the person and many of the lifestyles of those getting these diseases are a cocktail of alcohol, drugs and magic medical fixes like over-the-counter contraception,” Dr Haikerwal said.

“The message is just not getting through and even though we have sexual education in schools there is a lot of conversations we need to be having about drugs and alcohol.

“If you’re on drugs or taking alcohol are you really worrying about how sexually protected you are?”

Dr Haikerwal said she couldn’t pinpoint why there was such big increases in STD cases but said living in a party town was more than likely a major factor.

“We always see peaks in certain periods like schoolies and music festivals,” Dr Haikerwal said. “Young people seem to be driven to take drugs and alcohol. I would presume that because we are a party town we are going to be at the forefront of these diseases.

Gold Coasters should regularly get check ups to avoid the dangerous and rare strain of chlamydia which causes plague-like lumps.

“We shouldn’t throw money at health but perhaps think about more preventive measures. “When someone comes in for something totally unrelated to a sexual disease I always ask how their sexual behaviour is going and what their lifestyle is like. The conversation is import and the key won’t turn itself.”

Dr Haikerwal said STDs can have dangerous long-term effects on health.

“The increase in statistics is just a peak into the big picture,” she said. “We can’t just distribute condoms anymore.”

A spokeswoman from Gold Coast Health said an express walk-in screening and testing service had been a significant help.

“There were three cases (of lymphogranuloma venereum) in 2017 ... our clinics are screening more people than before,” she said.

“The no-appointment service at Southport Health Precinct gives people who do not have

symptoms of an STI (sexually transmitted infection) the opportunity to have peace of mind.

“For those people experiencing symptoms of common STIs, we encourage them to make

an appointment with one of our clinicians and get tested.”

PAST AND PRESENT CASES ON THE GOLD COAST

Numbers as follows for 2017

Chlamydia — 3758

Gonorrhoea — 641

Syphilis — 125

Lymphogranuloma venereum — 3

Numbers as follows for 2013

Chlamydia — 2499

Gonorrhoea — 306

Syphilis — 38

Lymphogranuloma venereum — nil