Bedbugs and consultants are bleeding us dry
Facebook blamed for rise in syphilis
People using social networking sites such as Facebook are to blame for a four-fold increase in syphilis, a director of public health has claimed.
Professor Peter Kelly, who works for NHS Tees, said social networking sites such as Facebook have made casual sex easier to arrange.
He added that syphilis infection has risen sharply among heterosexuals in his area over the last year, claiming the main reason for the increase is unprotected sex.
“There has been a four-fold increase in the number of syphilis cases detected, with more young women being affected,” he said.
“Social networking sites are making it easier for people to meet up for casual sex.
“Unprotected sex, especially with casual partners, is the biggest risk for syphilis. It is important that people avoid high-risk sexual behaviours and practice safe sex to protect themselves from sexually-transmitted infections.”
Syphilis symptoms vary, but the condition is especially dangerous for pregnant women, in whom it can lead to miscarriage or disability.
Nationally, the highest rates of syphilis are seen in women aged 20 to 24 and men aged 25 to 34. There were 3,588 cases diagnosed in 2008.
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Readers' comments (6)
Anonymous | 25-Mar-2010 4:02 pm
Perhaps Facebook is also responsible for global warming, the global recesion and the JFK assassination?
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Anonymous | 25-Mar-2010 5:16 pm
there are hundred of social networking sites out thee who actually dreams these things up and wheres the in depth research ? perhaps its also responsible for increased alcohol intake binge drinking, being obese and the chancellors budget ?what a lot of rubbish what next will big brother be looking further over our shoulders like in china???????
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Ronald Luton-Brown | 25-Mar-2010 6:50 pm
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm? It sounds like its going to happen any ways. But to put the blame on social networking sites is wrong it is the person having unprotected sex which is at fault get to the root cause dear! Sex with out protection kills not facebook! DUH!
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Martin Gray | 25-Mar-2010 8:04 pm
Perhaps more cases are being diagnosed because of the number of people being seen at DGUM clinics, where patients are screened for all STDs (or is it STIs - don't want to upset the PC brigade!).
Does this eminent academic believe we should all get our sexual partners to fill in a questionnaire beforehand? The easy availability of drugs and alcohol, low moral standards and general 'I don't give a f***' attitude encountered in todays society are to blame. I bet at the end of the war, on VE dayfor example, there were that many unprotected sexual encounters it's a wonder syphilis didn't become an epidemic!!!
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Anonymous | 1-Apr-2010 9:39 pm
I agree with the above comment. How indeed can we be sure Facebook is to blame and not a lack of public awareness on STI's? I attended a GUM clinic some time back after discovering my partner of 13yrs had been cheating on me for several months with some woman from his work with alcohol misuse problems. She later accused me of abusing my position as a nurse by getting myself checked out for STI's!! And she happens to be in her late 30's-old enough to know better, but neither of them bothered with protection or contraception. Any wonder there's an epidemic?
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laura collins | 12-Apr-2010 5:05 am
Why should blame a social networking sites such as Facebook, yes this social networking sites has influenced a lot of people nowadays but it is depend upon to the person if he would not be careful. :-) Be socially aware enough....
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