Why over 45s are at risk of sexually transmitted infections – new findings

TheConversation: One consequence of our ageing population is that people are now sexually active later in life. Combined with a high rate of older adults divorcing and changing partners, this has created a conducive environment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among those in middle age and beyond. While the under 25s and gay men remain most at risk from STIs, heterosexual adults over 45 have recently seen increases in HIV, gonorrhoea, herpes, syphilis, chlamydia and genital warts. In England, rates for chlamydia, the commonest STI, rose 63% among 45-64s between 2011 and 2015 while falling for 15-24s. Yet this is an area of public health that has so far been ignored.

Uptake and Population-Level Impact of Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) on Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Plos: Every day, more than 1 million people worldwide acquire a sexually transmitted infection (STI). STIs are viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections that pass between people during sexual activity (through semen, vaginal fluids, blood, or skin-to-skin contact). Two of the most common STIs—chlamydia and gonorrhea—are caused by bacteria (Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, respectively).

Youth Risk Behavior United States, 2013

Many high school students in the USA engage in behaviors at risk for disease and mortality, according for the results of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System 2013 report.

• 41.4% of high school students nationwide who drove a car or other vehicle had texted or e-mailed while driving, 
• 34.9% had drunk alcohol, and 23.4% had used marijuana. 
• 14.8% had been electronically bullied, 
• 19.6% had been bullied on school property, and 
• 8.0% had attempted suicide. 
• Many high school students are engaged in sexual risk behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancies and Sexually Transmitted Infections, including HIV infection.

Some risk behaviors have decreased (physical fighting, cigarette use, and sexual activity) while some have increased (having not gone to school because of safety concern, obesity and overweight) and some have not changed (suicide attempts treated by a doctor or nurse, having ever used marijuana, and having drunk alcohol or used drugs before last sexual intercourse).
The good news is that current cigarette smoking among high school students is at its lowest level in more than 20 years.
Source: CDC