Rise in sex infections alarms

An increase in sexually transmitted infections in Manawatu is concerning doctors.

Cases of gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and syphilis have all spiked in the Midcentral District Health Board area in the past year.

In the first three months of 2017, there were 30 confirmed cases of gonorrhoea – 13 women and 17 men.

This was up 130 per cent from the first three months of 2016, statistics from Public Health Service Surveillance show.

‘‘Although the overall numbers have been small, the rate of rise in syphilis and gonorrhoea rates is of concern,’’ Dr Anne Robertson said.

Until the recent rise, gonorrhoea had a low rate in Midcentral in recent years, Robertson said.

Symptoms included painful urination, abnormal discharge, and infections in the cervix, throat, and rectum.

Similar to many STIS, gonorrhoea sometimes had no symptoms.

Robertson said the transmitted infection had the ability to develop antibiotic resistance, which could leave few treatment options.

In the first three months of 2017, there were 309 confirmed cases of chlamydia in Midcentral – 209 women and 100 men. This was up 17 per cent from the first three months of 2016.

Robertson said there had been no formal reports of syphilis since 2014, when there were 141 cases nationally, mainly in large cities.

However there has been an ‘‘ongoing rise with clusters of cases in most regions, including Midcentral’’, she said.

Early infection often had no symptoms, but people could experience ulcers in the mouth and genital areas, she said.

Skin rashes could also occur and sometimes eye symptoms.

If not treated, syphilis can progress to different organ systems, often years down the track.

Although local HIV infection rates had not increased, there had been a national rise, she said.

Otago University figures showed 244 people were diagnosed with HIV in 2016, the most in a year since records began in 1985.

Robertson advised people who were sexually active to get tested and treated if necessary.

‘‘You can be infected without experiencing any symptoms and early diagnosis and treatment is vital to prevent ongoing transmission.’’

Testing was free and noninvasive. Swabs and urine samples were used to test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, and a blood test was needed to diagnose HIV and syphilis.