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Sexually transmitted infections are soaring and doctors accuse the education system of failing to inform young people about the risks of unprotected sex.
Gonorrhea infections have increased 45 percent and chlamydia cases have climbed 24 percent since 2021, according to new data from the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System.
Doctors report that the majority of infections affect young people aged 15 to 29.
This age group accounts for 67 percent of all chlamydia cases and half of gonorrhea infections.
Experts fear an increase in online learning as the pandemic blocks sex education programs in schools.
Sexually transmitted infections are soaring and doctors accuse the education system of failing to inform young people about the risks of unprotected sex.
Pathology Awareness Australia ambassador Associate Professor Caitlin Keighley urged anyone with symptoms to get tested as soon as possible.
“Chlamydia and gonorrhea are highly transmissible and have long-term ramifications, making them of great public health importance,” Professor Keighley said.
“If left undiagnosed, both can have negative long-term health consequences, such as infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease.”
The two infections are caused by different bacteria but share some symptoms, including bleeding, painful urination and swelling.
These are the two most common STIs worldwide, but they often go unnoticed because men rarely show symptoms, even if they carry the infection.
Regular STI testing, safe sex practices and the best ways to avoid infection, according to Professor Keighley.
“There has been a lack of sexual health education during the pandemic period due to the difficulty in effectively communicating these messages online,” she said.
“In addition, there has been a reduction in attendance at GPs, leading to infections going undiagnosed and therefore passed on, and an overall reduction in alertness or worry about contracting an STI. “
Gonorrhea infections have increased 45 percent and chlamydia cases have climbed 24 percent since 2021, according to new data from the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (NNDSS).
