MDs link apps to spike in sex infections

But expert said larger trends in behaviour behind surge

Social media and online hook-up sites are being blamed for skyrocketing sexually transmitted infections in Alberta and while Ontario officials report a similar spike, experts here won’t go so far as to link the outbreak to popular online dating apps.

In an emailed statement to the Star, Dr. Gerry Predy of Alberta Health Services said clinicians “are hearing from patients that social media has enabled easier and more frequent casual hook-ups.” These encounters, he explained, “are more likely to contribute to increased rates of STI transmission.”

After Alberta health officials revealed statistics on Tuesday that showed some of the highest STI rates the province has seen since the 1980s, the Star spoke with Ontario infection experts to learn about the cause of the province’s own situation.

According to U of T social epidemiologist Dionne Gesink, social media alone is not likely the issue but online dating and hook-up apps could be a contributing factor behind the cases.

“With online dating and apps, our sexual networks become more complex,” she said.

“They increase the connections between people, meaning there are a lot more ways STIs can be transmitted.”

But whether a romance sparked online or in real life, health officials warned that same burning flame of desire can easily spread elsewhere as a result of unprotected sex.

Dr. Vanessa Allen, the chief of medical microbiology for Public Health Ontario, told the Star the province has witnessed a “widespread, steady increase” in a STI trifecta of syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea over the past 10 years:

Almost a 100-fold increase in gonorrhea cases

Nearly double the number of chlamydia cases

A 200 per cent increase of syphilis cases

Allen also noted a recent spiking of cases involving Lymphogranuloma venereum, better known as LGV. A form of chlamydia, the infection is more difficult to treat and also causes rectal infections.

According to Allen, this climbing rate is “shocking.”

“Given that there is so much public information out there that is available for people to protect themselves, I find this to be very concerning,” she said.

STI testing rates have remained stable over the past five years, which suggests trending sexual behaviours are one of the major reasons behind the surge, said Allen.

This could include decreased condom use and a higher number of partners.

Past studies have also linked dating apps with high-risk sexual behaviours.

The advent of social networking has made it popular — some researchers suggest easier — to find, connect and “hook up” with sexual partners.

Gesink referred to “rapid intimacy” as an area of research that could provide some insight into this modern day method of sexual decisionmaking.