Sexually transmitted diseases: online dating blamed for infection rise
DATING apps and social media may be contributing to a surge in sexually transmitted infections, with new figures projecting a staggering one in six Victorians will contract an STI. See which areas have the biggest infection rates.
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DATING apps and social media may be contributing to a surge in sexually transmitted infections, with new figures projecting a staggering one in six Victorians will contract an STI.
STI cases reported to the Victoria, Department of Health also peaked last year, with more in 2017 than any other year since records began in 1991, said deputy health officer Brett Sutton.
A total 25,162 chlamydia cases were reported, and 7,280 gonorrhea cases.
A staggering 1346 cases of syphilis were also reported.
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Dr Sutton urged Victorians to get checked or face possible long-term health problems such as infertility.
The growing popularity of social media and dating websites could be partly to blame for the spike in cases, he said, but the good news was that most STIs were curable and all were treatable.
“STIs don’t care about age, sexuality, income or where you live,” he said.
“If you’re having sex, the best way to prevent STI transmission is to always use a condom — they are the best protection for you and your partner.”
Syphilis rose 148 per cent per rate of population in the City of Melbourne, from 41 reported infections in 2012 to 129 in 2017, while gonorrhoea skyrocketed 209 per cent to 658 cases and chlamydia 43 per cent to 1568 infections, according to Department of Health and Human Services figures.
Stonnington, which includes the affluent suburbs of Toorak and South Yarra, had the second highest number of cases of all three STIs behind Melbourne, with chlamydia the most commonly occurring infection.
Further afield in the Yarra Ranges gonorrhoea cases jumped 110 per cent in the population rate, from 41 incidents to 89, while Knox saw the highest increase in syphilis, with a 1834 per cent rise to 20 cases last year.
STI testing week is on until September 15. Details: betterhealth.vic.gov.au
Melbourne LGAs with the largest number of reported STI cases in 2017
Chlamydia:
Melbourne — 1568
Stonnington — 1092
Port Phillip — 1060
Yarra — 1031
Moreland — 790
Gonorrhoea:
Melbourne — 658
Stonnington/ Yarra — 448
Port Phillip — 408
Moreland — 301
Brimbank — 221
Syphilis:
Melbourne — 129
Stonnington — 114
Port Phillip — 104
Yarra — 86
Moreland — 60
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