STDs
The USA and Japan are sounding the alarm about syphilis – what experts say about the situation in Germany
The consequences of sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis can be life-threatening (symbol image)
© photothek / Imago Images
Developed countries internationally record exploding numbers in sexually transmitted diseases – especially syphilis. Which reasons experts suspect and why the younger generation is seen as a beacon of hope.
This article first appeared on ntv.de.
The British “Guardian” quoted health experts from the USA as saying that the situation regarding sexually transmitted diseases was “out of control”. At over 52,000 cases, new syphilis infections last year reached their highest level since 1948, and HIV cases also jumped by 16 percent compared to the previous year. The “Japan Times” also reports the highest level of syphilis since records began in Japan. Bacterial syphilis can initially cause rashes and sores, and if left untreated it can even be fatal. First warning signals for Germany too?
“Overall, we are seeing a trend towards increasing venereal diseases,” says Norbert Brockmeyer, President of the German STI Society, to ntv.de. “Not only with syphilis, but especially with chlamydia, gonococci and Mycoplasma genitalium. All these infections are caused by bacteria, with antibiotics hardly working against the last two.” The exact infection situation is unclear because the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) does not monitor all venereal diseases nationwide. Brockmeyer rather refers to unofficial figures from local health centers – for example in the Ruhr area and in Berlin.
Since the 2000s, however, the number of infections with STDs has been increasing every year. Brockmeyer attributes this, among other things, to the easier search for a partner through the Internet. “Whenever new technology came along, especially in online dating, sexual contacts and sexually transmitted infections increased.” The expert was able to show in a study what effect Corona has in this regard. During the pandemic, sexual contacts were fewer. However, because people had sex in smaller networks, there were more sexually transmitted diseases there. The expert assumes that previously undiscovered diseases will now be included in the statistics. There is also a backlog demand after the pandemic. According to Brockmeyer, more sexual permissiveness then also leads to more infections from venereal diseases.
With syphilis we are roughly where we were before the pandemic
The doctor Anja Potthoff is more reserved and only wants to refer to official figures. She heads the Center for Sexual Health and Medicine in Bochum. The RKI states that 4,334 people contracted syphilis in the first half of this year, compared to 3,854 in the first half of last year. “This puts us roughly where we were before the pandemic,” says Potthoff. Like Brockmeyer, she also sees unreported infections and catch-up effects as possible influencing factors.
Potthoff also attributes the rising numbers to the fact that more is being tested – mainly thanks to the so-called pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP is a pill that, if taken correctly, protects against HIV infection during sex without a condom. Statutory health insurance companies have been covering the costs for people with an increased risk of infection for two years. In addition, prescribing physicians generally test this group of people for STDs every three months. The RKI recently counted over 15,000 PrEP users – mostly under 45 years old and almost exclusively male.
Although new HIV infections stagnated before the pandemic, Potthoff criticizes the careless handling of other sexually transmitted infections: “Public perception of HIV has changed due to better treatment and new protection options, for example changed with PrEP. Furthermore, other STDs are often considered less serious diseases.”
Young people would take less pills and more condoms
Although young adults are most likely to be infected, the sexual behavior of younger teenagers does not correspond to the cliché, according to the doctor. “People think that sex is coming earlier and that everything is freer. But the opposite is the case. Fewer and fewer young people are having sexual contact before the age of 17. In addition, young people are taking fewer pills and more condoms.”
Potthoff and Brockmeyer independently call for comprehensive and low-threshold testing for venereal diseases – if possible free of charge. Among sexually very active men, 42 percent have never taken a test, according to a recent study by the online platforms Mysummer and Cheex. For women it is 23 percent. Out of shame, two-thirds of those surveyed would rather test themselves at home than go to a doctor. Brockmeyer considers a test for sexually transmitted diseases to be useful after about every fourth new sexual contact.
Draw conclusions about the further course of infection from syphilis
The health expert explains that the RKI has selected syphilis as a marker infection for bacterial sexually transmitted diseases in order to draw conclusions about the further course of infection. “But we also need to know how often and where other STDs – especially chlamydia and gonococci – occur in order to be able to react accordingly.”
Young women and men are often affected and therefore need to be informed particularly early on – if possible from the age of 9, says Brockmeyer. An early introduction to the subject of sexuality is not problematic. “Young people have early access to porn and sexual offers, we can already see that. But with education, they can escape this pressure more easily. And deal with their sexuality self-confidently and consciously.”