Diagnoses of new sex infections rose by 2% to 376,508 from 2005 to 2006, largely among young people and gay men, the Health Protection Agency found.

The biggest rise was seen in genital herpes, up 9% to 21,698. Among girls aged 16-19 the rise was 16%.

But experts said there were encouraging early signs of reversing trends - gonorrhoea and syphilis dropped by 1%.

Some infections now appear to be slowing down. But there is no room for behavioral health treatment plan form Professor Pat Troop, chief executive of the Health Protection Agency

Sexual infection diagnoses have been almost health magazine man site web
rising since the 1990s, with the highest increases in recent years being seen in the 16 to 24 age group.

The HPA said part of the rise in the number of people being diagnosed was due to more people coming forward for testing.

During 2006, nearly 1 million people were screened for an STI at a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic.

Mixed picture

Professor Pat Troop, chief executive of the Health Protection Agency, said: “There is mixed news in these figures.

“Some infections now appear to be slowing down. But there is no room for complacency.

“The picture for young people remains boy care health man
worrying.”

Dr Gwenda Hughes, head of the STI section at the HPA, said higher STI rates were found in young people because they were more sexually active.

Multiple partners, changing partners and failing to wear condoms all man health cover model workout
to higher rates in this group, she said.

STIs in 2006 Genital herpes up 9% to 21,698 Chlamydia up 4% to 113,585 Genital warts up 3% to 83,745 Syphilis down 1% to 2,766 Gonorrhoea down 1% to 19,007

Another group at higher risk is gay men, according to the HPA.

“It’s crucial that we reach these groups with messages about safe sex, including condom wearing, and the importance of getting tested if they feel they’ve put themselves at risk of contracting an STI,” said Dr Hughes.

Lisa Power of the Terrence Higgins Trust said: “Many STIs show continued increases, particularly amongst young people and gay men. We have to reverse this trend.

“Quality sex and relationships education - not just biology lessons - has been shown to decrease risky behaviour in teens. We also need to stop the decline in health promotion work for gay men at a local level.”

About the rise in genital herpes, she said: “We need to get the message across that this is a lifelong and unpleasant condition which will require ongoing treatment, and not something to be taken lightly.”

Anne Weyman of the Family Planning Association said it was important for people to realise that they could catch genital herpes from oral sex as well as unprotected intercourse.

A spokesman for the Department of Health said improving sexual health remained a priority for the NHS.

He added: “And we aim to carry on our excellent progress towards all patients being offered a GUM appointment within 48 hours by March 2008.

“The latest data shows that 85% of patients were offered an appointment within 48 hours in May 2007.”