The rising infections you need to watch out for

TWO major sexually transmitted infections have become more common in Toowoomba and the Darling Downs this year.

TWO major sexually transmitted infections have become more common in Toowoomba and the Darling Downs this year.

TWO major sexually transmitted infections have become more common in Toowoomba and the Darling Downs this year.

As of July 1 there had been 91 cases of gonorrhoea recorded in the Darling Downs health region, well above the 2014 to 2018 year to date average of 46 cases.

There had also been 15 recorded cases of syphilis so far this year, well above the average of nine.

Darling Downs Public Medicine clinical nurse consultant Lauren Gill said the best way to avoid getting an STI was for people to always use a condom when engaging in sexual activities.

"There is medication now available for other predominately sexually transmitted diseases that requires regularly, three monthly screening," Ms Gill said.

"More screening may be the cause of increased notifications of gonorrhoea and syphilis."

The rate of chlamydia cases in the Darling Downs remains normal for this time of year, with 459 cases recorded so far, just below the average of 462 cases.

Signs and symptoms for gonorrhoea vary between men and women. The best way to avoid gonorrhoea is to practice safe sex by using condoms.

Symptoms for syphilis vary according to how long the person has been infected and can include painless sores called chancres. However, some people won't know they have syphilis until a blood test confirmation.

Like gonorrhoea, the best way to avoid syphilis is to always use condoms.

The rise in gonorrhoea and syphilis in the Darling Downs region follows the national trends, with rates of those two STIs rising across the country.

According to the 2018 Australian STI surveillance report, gonorrhoea accounted for 28,292 cases in 2017 (21,010 males, 7282 females), nearly double the figure in 2013 of 14,863 (10,457 males, 4406 females).
 

Originally published as The rising infections you need to watch out for