Gay sexually transmitted infections
Danish study finds that STI rates in gay men amplify before they originate PrEP, not after
A Danish examine which was proficient to chart the annual incidence of the three bacterial STIs, chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis, in people attending sexual health clinics both before and after they started PrEP has found that they had more than twice as many (115% more) STI diagnoses while on PrEP than they had some time before starting it.
However it also found that much of this boost in diagnoses was due to increased testing. While the average STI testing rate in people some time before starting PrEP was in the region of 50 tests per 100 person years (i.e. a test every two years), it was three to four tests per year in people on PrEP, with tests peaking each three months due to PrEP checkups.
When this was taken into account, the diagnosis rate of any of the bacterial STIs in people on PrEP was only 35% higher than it was before PrEP, and in the case of syphilis there was no significant increase.
Glossary
chlamydia
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection, caused by bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. Women can get chlamydia in the cervix, rectum, or throat. Men
New STI figures show continued increases among gay men
Latest figures published today (5 July 2016) from General Health England (PHE) show there were 434,456 sexually transmitted infections (STIs) reported in England in 2015; 54,275 of which were among gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men, a 10% increase since 2014. Chlamydia was the most commonly diagnosed STI, accounting for 46% of diagnoses (200,288 cases), followed by genital warts (68,310 cases).
The 2015 statistics represent a small decrease (3%) when compared to 2014. This is primarily due to falls in diagnoses for chlamydia (4%) and genital warts (7%).
However, in the same period there were large increases in diagnoses of gonorrhoea (11%) and syphilis (20%), continuing the rising trends in these infections of the past 5 years. These rises have occurred mostly in homosexual, bisexual or other men who own sex with men.
The impact of STIs remains greatest in young people under the age of 25 years, and gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. The immense fall in genital warts seen this year in little women is an expected positive impact of the national HPV vaccination programme.
Sexual health - Dr Gwen
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GAY & BISEXUAL MEN - stis
STIs
Gay, bisexual and other men that have sex with men can be at increased risk of all sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and are disproportionately affected by infections such as gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV.
The best way to prevent HIV is by using condoms and lube for anal sex although condoms will not always prevent you getting all STIs. Not everyone will encounter symptoms when they have an STI. Some may have no obvious symptoms, others mild symptoms and a few severe symptoms. Even in the absence of symptoms, you may still hold an STI and still be able to pass it on. Only by getting yourself checked out will you know. If you think you might contain an STI, get a confirm up at Sexual Health - clinic list.
Practicing safer sex and having regular review ups are ways to make certain you enjoy healthy, fulfilling and enjoyable sex throughout your life.
How often should I receive checked?
If you're sexually active, especially if you're having sex with multiple partners, you should have regular check ups for STIs every 3-6 months. Even if you have no symptoms you could still have an STI and
Sexual health for same-sex attracted and bisexual men
Having unprotected penetrative sex is the most likely way to pass on a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Using a condom helps shield against HIV and lowers the risk of getting many other STIs.
If you’re a man having sex with men (MSM), without condoms and with someone novel, you should have an STI and HIV quiz every 3 months, otherwise, it should be at least once a year. This can be done at a sexual health clinic (SHC) or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic. This is important, as some STIs do not bring about any symptoms.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a liver infection that's spread by a virus in poo.
Hepatitis A is uncommon in the UK but you can receive it through sex, including oral-anal sex ("rimming") and giving oral sex after anal sex. MSM with multiple partners are particularly at risk. You can also get it through contaminated food and drink.
Symptoms of hepatitis A can come into view up to 8 weeks after sex and contain tiredness and feeling sick (nausea).
Hepatitis A is not usually life-threatening and most people make a entire recovery within a couple of months.
MSM can dodge getting hepatitis A by:
- washing hands after se