Science Daily (June 30, ‘08) Sexually transmitted infections are on the rise… in people over 45!
Between 1996 and 2003, a study of clinics in the Midwest found 4,445 STI episodes among people aged 45 and older. Most of these were in straight men and women.
The most commonly diagnosed infection among the Over 45s was genital warts, accounting for almost half (45%) of the episodes. Herpes was the next most common, accounting for almost one in five (19%).
Men and those between the ages of 55 and 59 were significantly more likely to have an STI than anyone else.
Cases of Chlamydia, herpes, warts, gonorrhea and syphilis all rose sharply, as well.
While the numbers of infections identified in younger age groups rose 97% during the period of the study, those identified in the "Over 45s" rose 127%.
[Excuse me… If more people are educated about, have access to and are using condoms, how come the number of infected people keeps going up?]
