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News: Syphilis on the rise in UK, esp among MSM
Member Since: 5/27/2016
Posts: 13,482
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Syphilis on the rise in UK, esp among MSM
Syphilis is on the rise when it should be confined to history
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As the old saying goes, “Laughter is the best medicine. Unless you have syphilis in which case penicillin is the best choice”. The disease, caused by the bacterium Treponema Pallidum and passed on through unprotected oral, vaginal and anal sex, has affected the famous through the ages (Al Capone and, reportedly, Hitler, to name just two).
But syphilis is in no way confined to big names, nor is it a sexually transmitted infection (STI) of the past. The 2016 Public Health England (PHE) syphilis report has shown that infection rates are on the up, with disproportionate rates in London. In 2015, the capital accounted for 56% of all cases in England, with a 22% increase in diagnoses in the year 2014-15. Since 2010 the number of cases of syphilis in Londoners has increased by 163%, with a 22% increase in the year from 2014 to 2015. The borough of Lambeth has the highest rates, closely followed by the City of London and Southwark.
Men who have sex with men (MSM) represented 90% of all syphilis cases in 2015, with a 232% increase in diagnosis over the last five years, said the report. More than half of the MSM diagnosed with syphilis in 2015 were also infected with HIV, and over half additionally tested positive for a separate STI. Rates in heterosexuals remain stable but are higher than ideal.
It’s 2016. Safe sex campaigns and targeted prevention efforts are in place. Sexual health care is free and accessible to both high and low risk groups. So what is going on?
The basic science can’t be sugar coated. More condomless sex leads to higher rates of syphilis, (and gonorrhoea, chlamydia, HIV … the list goes on). Untreated syphilis means the disease continues to be passed on and leads to potentially horrifying long-term medical complications. Action is needed now to address the reasons behind these patterns, particularly in MSM, the group most affected.
In MSM, higher numbers of partners is a key reason behind the heavily inflated rates, compounded by the use of apps such as Grindr, venue based and group sex. The reported increased use of Chemsex (recreational drugs used during sex) is also of concern, lowering sexual inhibitions and making the likelihood of using a condom less likely.
Another worrying phenomenon is “sero-sorting” – when men choose partners who have the same HIV status, in theory negating the need to use a condom. However, this puts both partners at high risk of contracting a plethora of STIs.
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src
 people need to learn how to be SAFE. this is really bad 
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 5/27/2016
Posts: 5,549
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I saw "esp among" and I knew it would be the gays 
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Member Since: 6/22/2012
Posts: 26,585
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It's embarrassing how many people don't understand the importance of condoms. 
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Member Since: 8/7/2015
Posts: 12,538
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What kind of games y'all playing out there?
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Member Since: 1/4/2014
Posts: 2,945
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I can blame a bit, the **** industry... it has taking a BB outlook... i can even say that those **** have made me fantasize with doing bb sex tbh
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Banned
Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 24,153
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Gay sexual health is so overlooked...
Gay sex ed. needs to start being taught, just for our health.
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Member Since: 8/7/2015
Posts: 3,073
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Oop I better get myself tested
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Member Since: 5/27/2016
Posts: 2,757
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Welp. Seems like I will be staying a virgin a bit longer 
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Member Since: 4/14/2011
Posts: 48,397
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Quote:
Originally posted by SpinThatShhh
Gay sexual health is so overlooked...
Gay sex ed. needs to start being taught, just for our health.
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Preach
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Banned
Member Since: 3/3/2012
Posts: 13,073
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Quote:
Originally posted by SpinThatShhh
Gay sexual health is so overlooked...
Gay sex ed. needs to start being taught, just for our health.
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I blame it on BB sex being promoted more and more especially now that PrEP is available, guys think that they can use it as a replacement for condoms.
I'm p sure that you can convince guys to do BB sex nowdays by telling them that you are on PrEP even tho that's a lie.
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Member Since: 6/2/2010
Posts: 4,444
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Gay syphilisus powah 
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Member Since: 5/18/2012
Posts: 20,576
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I already knew it was gays before I finished the title. Something has to be done.
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Member Since: 2/5/2014
Posts: 6,336
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Keep it wrapped or up ya legs shut sistrens.
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Member Since: 8/7/2015
Posts: 9,846
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Member Since: 1/2/2014
Posts: 18,038
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Not 90% of infections being from MSM 
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 4,395
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Quote:
Originally posted by SpinThatShhh
Gay sexual health is so overlooked...
Gay sex ed. needs to start being taught, just for our health.
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I agree. Gay sexual health is ignored and often overlooked by gay men.
We need to raise awareness.
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Member Since: 4/22/2012
Posts: 15,844
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Syphilis is a disgusting disease, surely not as dangerous as HIV for example, but disgusting.
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 9/14/2010
Posts: 78,921
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Not the UK, it's Greater London.
From New York? So you're still not aware of the current situation regarding the National Health Service. Brexit wasn't too long ago so I don't know how you missed it, or even me moaning in the UK thread about waiting in the clinic the other week.
Exhibit A:
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Sexual health clinics manage the majority of syphilis testing and treatment and so attention must be paid to the massive budget cuts being faced by sexual health and MSM support services. MSM are advised to have regular STI checks (which includes a syphilis test), use condoms and seek support if they are struggling to maintain their personal health. Only robust, accessible and adequately funded services will be able to maintain this level of care. Responsibility is now on the government to ensure the needs of some of its most vulnerable populations are being met.
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Recent notes have also been taken against the sex education with recommendations of a mandatory ruling for all schools.
Exhibit B:
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The Office for National Statistics reports that teen conceptions are down but still at high rates compared with some of our European counterparts. Sexually transmitted infection rates remain significant. Young people’s perceptions of relationships and what constitutes consent are worryingly skewed and high proportions of young lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people experience bullying, prejudice and a lack of education with severe consequences.
In the absence of satisfactory direction, of real concern is the information children are independently turning to in its place. Easy access to **** and the hyper-sexualised use of social media at this crucial stage of development has created a false sense of sexual normality for young people. This is at a huge cost to their wellbeing and personal growth. Pressure is now on the government to make some well measured decisions regarding the wellbeing of our teens. The education select committee has just released its recommendations to make sex education – posed to be renamed relationships and sex education – to be mandatory in schools. The rename is to highlight a much-needed focus on consent, people's rights, sexual wellbeing and education about same-sex couples. https://www.theguardian.com/healthca...ted-infections
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Member Since: 6/15/2012
Posts: 4,586
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Our community is on self-destruction these past 2 years, HIV rate is also growing
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Member Since: 2/15/2012
Posts: 6,566
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How hard is to wear a condom?? 
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