2024-06-04 19:54:09
Syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea: older individuals are more and more affected by sexually transmitted infections. Why that is the case and how one can defend your self.
Sexuality in outdated age is taken into account a social taboo – even much less is the dialogue in regards to the illnesses related to it. One factor can’t be ignored: the variety of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) reminiscent of gonorrhea and syphilis in individuals over 50 has been rising dramatically for years. That is reported by the German Dermatological Society (DDG) and the German STI Society (DSTIG).
Based on them, research from the USA present that the variety of sexually transmitted illnesses has doubled within the final decade amongst 55- to 64-year-olds. In Nice Britain, there was a doubling of gonorrhea and syphilis amongst these over 45 between 2015 and 2019.
That’s the reason increasingly more older individuals have sexually transmitted illnesses
In Germany, too, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) has recorded a pointy improve in syphilis during the last 20 years. Whereas 326 instances have been reported in individuals over 60 in 2013, there have been 930 instances in the identical group in 2023. Males are subsequently primarily affected.
Sexually transmitted infections
The listing of sexually transmitted illnesses is lengthy. It ranges from genital herpes, genital warts and chlamydia to gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV.
However why are these infections rising amongst older individuals? It’s clear that there have been hardly any research on the sexual habits of older individuals. “However we are able to assume that this age group is rather more sexually energetic than is mostly assumed,” stated Julia Welzel, President of the DDG.
For instance, the Berlin Age Research II from 2019 confirmed that just about a 3rd of 60 to 80 12 months olds are sexually energetic extra typically than the typical 20 and 30 12 months outdated. However that is exactly the place the issue lies, in response to consultants. Many individuals estimate their private threat of contracting a sexually transmitted illness to be decrease than it really is and subsequently don’t defend themselves.
The explanations for elevated sexual exercise in outdated age embrace:
- the elimination of the concern of undesirable being pregnant and thus much less contraception,
- Presents from on-line relationship platforms and
- Efficiency enhancers.
Specialists name for extra schooling – additionally for older individuals
However it isn’t simply the rising variety of sexually transmitted illnesses that’s inflicting concern amongst medical doctors. The rise in antibiotic resistance in sure infectious pathogens reminiscent of gonorrhea, also called the clap, can be changing into an issue. Which means that the illnesses are nearly unattainable to deal with.
Estimates based mostly on European figures assume a Neisseria gonorrhoea (NG) incidence of 20 instances per 100,000 inhabitants. In Germany, there seems to be the same growth, however laboratory reporting for gonorrhea has solely just lately been necessary. Nonetheless, pathogens with lowered sensitivity to sure antibiotics are recorded.
“An alarming growth is rising right here,” stated Prof. Dr. Norbert Brockmeyer, President of the DSTIG. In Germany, round 700 NG infections with lowered sensitivity to antibiotics have been reported in 2022. The 12 months earlier than, there have been round 400 instances. “The very best incidence is in women and men within the 20- to 24-year-old age group. Nonetheless, it may be assumed that the lowering effectiveness of sure antibiotics is rising in all age teams,” stated Brockmeyer.
In view of the rising variety of instances of gonorrhea, syphilis and different illnesses, the German Dermatological Society and the German STI Society are actually calling for a rethink within the space of intercourse schooling – explicitly additionally for older individuals. “Sexual well being schooling campaigns are sometimes aimed on the youthful technology. That’s essentially appropriate. However there must be a rethink. You might be by no means too outdated for STIs,” stated Prof. Dr. Julia Welzel, President of the DDG.
To be able to cut back the private threat of an infection, condoms, feminine condoms and dental dams are significantly beneficial. Vaccinations towards particular person pathogens reminiscent of HPV or hepatitis and pre-exposure prophylaxis for these at elevated threat of HIV an infection additionally provide safety towards STIs.