STDs rocket among Brits over 45

LONDON – Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Britons aged over 45 has more than doubled in less than a decade with Internet dating and drugs that counter erectile dysfunction partly to blame, a report said on Monday.

Researchers from the government’s Health Protection Agency looked at the number of patients visiting 19 sexual health clinics in central England between 1996 and 2003. Although the vast majority of the patients were young, they found that in 1996, 344 people over 45 were diagnosed with an STI.By 2003, that number had risen to 780.Men in the 55-59 age bracket were more likely to have an STI than anyone else, while rates were highest in women aged 45-54, said the study published in the Sexually Transmitted Infections magazine.The most commonly diagnosed infections were genital warts, which accounted for almost half of cases, and herpes while the number infected with chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis also rose sharply.Nampa-ReutersAlthough the vast majority of the patients were young, they found that in 1996, 344 people over 45 were diagnosed with an STI.By 2003, that number had risen to 780.Men in the 55-59 age bracket were more likely to have an STI than anyone else, while rates were highest in women aged 45-54, said the study published in the Sexually Transmitted Infections magazine.The most commonly diagnosed infections were genital warts, which accounted for almost half of cases, and herpes while the number infected with chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis also rose sharply.Nampa-Reuters