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HEALTH NEWS: Gay, Bi and MSM’s In Norwich Urged To Wrap It Up

Rise in syphilis cases among men having sex with men in the Norwich area. Issued by: : Public Health England Press Office, Midlands & East, Anglia & Essex Centre | 20th December 2013 As we hit the height of the festive season, health professionals in Norfolk are urging people to practice safer sex following a 43% increase in the number of diagnosed syphilis cases this year*. The majority (80%) of these were among men who have sex with men (MSM).Although the number of cases is low, the increase we have seen is significant. Syphilis is an unpleasant infection which can go unnoticed for weeks and if untreated may lead to serious complications. Some people experience sores or ulcers at the site of the infection. This can then develop into nasty rashes and people can experience flu-like symptoms.Men who have sex with men are advised to have an HIV and STI screen at least annually, and every three months if having unprotected sex (this includes using protection half way through a sexual activity) with new or casual partners. A recent case study shows how having unprotected sex can affect your life:A 32 year-old male visited his GP with a rash and sore throat. He didn’t mention a recent visit to a London sauna where he had sex with two men. Antibiotics cleared the rash but the patient was still worried about HIV so went to the sexual health clinic to be tested. He was then diagnosed with recently catching HIV and syphilis. Tests currently show HIV has not damaged his immune system but he will have regular blood tests in future to monitor this and will receive treatment for HIV. Telling his regular partner was difficult but prompted him to also be tested. Fortunately the partner tested negative. They are still together and now always use condoms.” Dr Giri Shankar, Consultant in communicable disease control, Public Health England said:“Unprotected sex, especially with casual and multiple partners, is the biggest risk for getting syphilis or any other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Along with the more traditional ways of people meeting for casual sex, social networking sites are making this behaviour easier, especially in the gay community. The only way to get protection from STIs is to practise safer sex. If you are a man who has sex with men or has changed partner recently, get tested for Syphilis. ” Dr Jo Evans, Consultant in Genito Urinary Medicine, Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital said:“Lots of people carry STIs in their system and are unaware of this, so it is essential to use a condom every time you have sex to avoid catching something unpleasant. We are particularly worried about the recent increase in syphilis, especially amongst men who have sex with men. If you’ve had a new partner recently and not always used condoms get yourself checked; if you are a man who has sex with men you are at a higher risk, even if using condoms - get tested now.” Dr Augustine Pereira, Consultant in Public Health at Norfolk County Council said:“The chance of catching other sexually transmitted infections such as HIV is high for those who are already infected with syphilis and other STIs. Our advice is to use a condom at all times and during all forms of sex, including oral sex.” A recent article in Lancet shows that men who have sex with men (MSM) in the UK are experiencing record high diagnosis rates for various sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV. According to this, over a half of the new diagnosis of HIV and almost three quarters of new cases of syphilis is diagnosed among MSM. Syphilis can start off as a painless ulcer, usually on the genitals or mouth. These are highly infectious. As the infection progresses people may develop swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, and rashes. Syphilis can be treated with a course of antibiotics. Anyone concerned about their sexual behaviour, any symptoms they may be showing or need some advice on practising safer sex, should contact their local sexual health clinic, Norfolk LGBT Project or GP. Notes to Editors:*Cases were diagnosed between January and October 2013.Sexual health clinic at Norfolk & Norwich Hospital, T: 01603 286307; Norfolk Living Well Service http://www.norfolkslivingwell.org.uk/i-want-to-be-healthier/my-sexual-health/General information on Syphilis: What is syphilis?Syphilis is a sexually acquired infection caused by Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum, a spirochete bacterium.In the UK, syphilis infection is relatively uncommon but diagnoses in men and women have increased over the past decade.In pregnant women where infection can cause miscarriage, still birth, or foetal abnormality.Who gets syphilis?Anyone who has sex can get syphilis. People most at risk are those having unprotected sexual intercourse (i.e. not using a condom), those with more than one sexual partner, and those who change partners frequently.How do you catch syphilis?Syphilis is caught through unprotected vaginal, oral or anal intercourse or genital contact with an infected partner.Syphilis cannot be caught by casual contact (toilet seats, swimming pools and saunas).A pregnant woman with infectious syphilis can pass the infection to her foetus via the placenta or during birth.How do you know that you have syphilis?The symptoms of syphilis are not specific. Initial presentation is usually one or more painless but highly infectious sores (primary infection) which appear at the site of infection. These sores disappear within two to six weeks in the absence of treatment.Secondary symptoms may develop 6 weeks to 6 months after the onset of primary sores. Later symptoms are highly variable, but may include a rash on the palms or soles.Late syphilis occurs four or more years after an untreated primary infection. Complications may occur in the mucocutaneous tissue, heart, respiratory tract or central nervous system.How serious is syphilis?Infection during pregnancy usually results in miscarriage, stillbirth or a congenitally infected baby. Maternal infection, however, is detectable and entirely treatable which prevents transmission to the baby.If left undetected syphilis will eventually lead to late syphilis in about 40 percent of people.What protection is there against syphilis?Sexually active people can reduce their risk of syphilis by reducing their numbers of partners and using condoms or dental dams. How is syphilis diagnosed?Syphilis can be diagnosed by detection of the organism in the ulcer. Antibodies to syphilis can also be detected in the blood. Samples must be taken by a health care professional.All pregnant women should be tested for syphilis to prevent transmission to the foetus.Genitourinary medicine clinics (also called STI clinics) have the equipment and facilities for testing and for contacting, testing and treating sexual partners. Details of these clinics can be found in the telephone book, from the local hospital or from the NHS choices sexual health website. Clinics are completely confidential and will not inform GPs of results unless requested to do so. Anyone can attend one of these clinics at any age (even if under the age of consent to sex which is 16). Appointments are not required. A person with suspected syphilis should also be tested for other sexually transmitted infections which may be present without symptoms.How is syphilis treated?Syphilis can be treated with antibiotics.All current and recent sexual partners should be tested and treated to prevent re-infection and the further spread of disease. Treatment should be offered whether or not they show any signs of infectionPublic Health England’s mission is to protect and improve the nation’s health and to address inequalities through working with national and local government, the NHS, industry and the voluntary and community sector. PHE is an operationally autonomous executive agency of the Department of Health.

Rise in syphilis cases among men having sex with men in the Norwich area.

Issued by: : Public Health England Press Office, Midlands & East, Anglia & Essex Centre | 20th December 2013

As we hit the height of the festive season, health professionals in Norfolk are urging people to practice safer sex following a 43% increase in the number of diagnosed syphilis cases this year*. The majority (80%) of these were among men who have sex with men (MSM).

Although the number of cases is low, the increase we have seen is significant. Syphilis is an unpleasant infection which can go unnoticed for weeks and if untreated may lead to serious complications. Some people experience sores or ulcers at the site of the infection. This can then develop into nasty rashes and people can experience flu-like symptoms.

Men who have sex with men are advised to have an HIV and STI screen at least annually, and every three months if having unprotected sex (this includes using protection half way through a sexual activity) with new or casual partners.

A recent case study shows how having unprotected sex can affect your life:

A 32 year-old male visited his GP with a rash and sore throat. He didn’t mention a recent visit to a London sauna where he had sex with two men. Antibiotics cleared the rash but the patient was still worried about HIV so went to the sexual health clinic to be tested. He was then diagnosed with recently catching HIV and syphilis. Tests currently show HIV has not damaged his immune system but he will have regular blood tests in future to monitor this and will receive treatment for HIV. Telling his regular partner was difficult but prompted him to also be tested. Fortunately the partner tested negative. They are still together and now always use condoms.”

Dr Giri Shankar, Consultant in communicable disease control, Public Health England said:

“Unprotected sex, especially with casual and multiple partners, is the biggest risk for getting syphilis or any other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Along with the more traditional ways of people meeting for casual sex, social networking sites are making this behaviour easier, especially in the gay community. The only way to get protection from STIs is to practise safer sex. If you are a man who has sex with men or has changed partner recently, get tested for Syphilis. ”

Dr Jo Evans, Consultant in Genito Urinary Medicine, Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital said:

“Lots of people carry STIs in their system and are unaware of this, so it is essential to use a condom every time you have sex to avoid catching something unpleasant. We are particularly worried about the recent increase in syphilis, especially amongst men who have sex with men. If you’ve had a new partner recently and not always used condoms get yourself checked; if you are a man who has sex with men you are at a higher risk, even if using condoms - get tested now.”

Dr Augustine Pereira, Consultant in Public Health at Norfolk County Council said:

“The chance of catching other sexually transmitted infections such as HIV is high for those who are already infected with syphilis and other STIs. Our advice is to use a condom at all times and during all forms of sex, including oral sex.”

A recent article in Lancet shows that men who have sex with men (MSM) in the UK are experiencing record high diagnosis rates for various sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV. According to this, over a half of the new diagnosis of HIV and almost three quarters of new cases of syphilis is diagnosed among MSM.

Syphilis can start off as a painless ulcer, usually on the genitals or mouth. These are highly infectious. As the infection progresses people may develop swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, and rashes. Syphilis can be treated with a course of antibiotics.

Anyone concerned about their sexual behaviour, any symptoms they may be showing or need some advice on practising safer sex, should contact their local sexual health clinic, Norfolk LGBT Project or GP.

Notes to Editors:

*Cases were diagnosed between January and October 2013.

Sexual health clinic at Norfolk & Norwich Hospital, T: 01603 286307; Norfolk Living Well Service http://www.norfolkslivingwell.org.uk/i-want-to-be-healthier/my-sexual-health/

General information on Syphilis:

What is syphilis?

Syphilis is a sexually acquired infection caused by Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum, a spirochete bacterium.

In the UK, syphilis infection is relatively uncommon but diagnoses in men and women have increased over the past decade.

In pregnant women where infection can cause miscarriage, still birth, or foetal abnormality.

Who gets syphilis?

Anyone who has sex can get syphilis. People most at risk are those having unprotected sexual intercourse (i.e. not using a condom), those with more than one sexual partner, and those who change partners frequently.

How do you catch syphilis?

Syphilis is caught through unprotected vaginal, oral or anal intercourse or genital contact with an infected partner.

Syphilis cannot be caught by casual contact (toilet seats, swimming pools and saunas).

A pregnant woman with infectious syphilis can pass the infection to her foetus via the placenta or during birth.

How do you know that you have syphilis?

The symptoms of syphilis are not specific. Initial presentation is usually one or more painless but highly infectious sores (primary infection) which appear at the site of infection. These sores disappear within two to six weeks in the absence of treatment.

Secondary symptoms may develop 6 weeks to 6 months after the onset of primary sores. Later symptoms are highly variable, but may include a rash on the palms or soles.

Late syphilis occurs four or more years after an untreated primary infection. Complications may occur in the mucocutaneous tissue, heart, respiratory tract or central nervous system.

How serious is syphilis?

Infection during pregnancy usually results in miscarriage, stillbirth or a congenitally infected baby. Maternal infection, however, is detectable and entirely treatable which prevents transmission to the baby.

If left undetected syphilis will eventually lead to late syphilis in about 40 percent of people.

What protection is there against syphilis?

Sexually active people can reduce their risk of syphilis by reducing their numbers of partners and using condoms or dental dams.

How is syphilis diagnosed?

Syphilis can be diagnosed by detection of the organism in the ulcer. Antibodies to syphilis can also be detected in the blood. Samples must be taken by a health care professional.

All pregnant women should be tested for syphilis to prevent transmission to the foetus.

Genitourinary medicine clinics (also called STI clinics) have the equipment and facilities for testing and for contacting, testing and treating sexual partners. Details of these clinics can be found in the telephone book, from the local hospital or from the NHS choices sexual health website. Clinics are completely confidential and will not inform GPs of results unless requested to do so. Anyone can attend one of these clinics at any age (even if under the age of consent to sex which is 16). Appointments are not required.

A person with suspected syphilis should also be tested for other sexually transmitted infections which may be present without symptoms.

How is syphilis treated?

Syphilis can be treated with antibiotics.

All current and recent sexual partners should be tested and treated to prevent re-infection and the further spread of disease. Treatment should be offered whether or not they show any signs of infection

Public Health England’s mission is to protect and improve the nation’s health and to address inequalities through working with national and local government, the NHS, industry and the voluntary and community sector. PHE is an operationally autonomous executive agency of the Department of Health.