People over 60 are now the fastest-growing group contracting sexually transmitted diseases, according to government statistics. Since 2002, syphilis has tripled in the over-65s in the UK, and HIV has increased by 60%

What are the reasons for this?

Greater life expectancy and improved health mean that a phase of life never previously seen now exists: an extended middle age: fit, competent and interested in sex.

Internet dating sites and social media has made finding someone to suit this new, more assertive state easier. There are some that are specifically designed to target people in the second half of their life.

New relationships are said to increase enthusiasm and a positive mental attitude. “It’s much better when you live alone and have ‘visits’,” says nanachrissy – from a 50+ dating site.

“When I was married, I think sex was spoiled by underlying resentments and suppressed anger. Now there are no strings and sex is the best ever. Also I have no hangups about my body, because I don’t really care what he thinks (although he is very kind!).”

Furthermore, Menopause, according to author and activist Gloria Steinem, gives women a new drive and confidence. “What we lose in those menopausal years is everything we needed to support another person,” she argues. “What we keep is everything we need to support ourselves.”

Despite this evidence, people over 50 still, like any young sexually active male or female need to go for regular screenings. Unfortunately age has no effect on sexually transmitted diseases and they are just as harmful (if not more so) in older individuals whose immune systems aren’t as strong. Regular checks will eliminate the risk of spreading diseases and promoting illness.

Michael Fassbender has recently starred in a film highlighting the psychological turmoil of a sex addict.

Caspar Walsh states his view on sex addiction: ‘Despite the evidence of an epidemic of sex related diseases, societal problems, marriage breakdowns and family dysfunction, we prefer to take the stiff upper-lip approach; to keep calm and carry on’. He suggests that in this day and age people tend to be ignorant towards sex addiction and anything related.

The film graphically highlights the routine of a sex addict and how it affects his wellbeing. Scenes involving prostitutes, porn, gay sexual activity and heterosexual sex highlight the topic in a new light and shows just how much sex/sex related activity some people actually have.

Clearly, films portraying this subject matter help to highlight the importance of being tested for sexually transmitted diseases and the importance of sexual health clinics.

In his role, Fassbender clearly portrays that sex addicts are unable to face up to their addiction by leading an otherwise normal existence.

It shows how the condition affects not only his emotional state of mind, but problems at work, with his family, relationships and anger issues.

Furthermore, it highlights how issues occurring as a result of sex addiction adds an untold burden to the NHS, police and social service budgets all dealing with its knock-on effects – crime and societal breakdown.

At samedaydoctor we are happy to see pateints concerned about the above issues and can refer you for appropriate counselling if needed.

Recent studies have shown that ONE in FOUR worry they might have infected their partner with a sexually transmitted infection because of unprotected sex.

Even more worryingly, an extremely high number of these people won’t even know they are infected, as STI’s commonly show no symptoms. ‘In fact 70 to 80 per cent of women show no symptoms of having Chlamydia infections, compared with around 50 per cent of men… and approximately half of women don’t show symptoms of gonorrhea’ says Dr Knut Scroeder.

Statistics show that 38% of people refrain from using condoms on holiday because they get caught up in the heat of the moment. “The first time I got Chlamydia was in San Francisco, 2007. The second time I got Chlamydia was in London, 2009. In neither case did I have any symptoms whatsoever. Well, in a way, I did. Wikipedia lists the symptoms of Chlamydia, but it is missing what is often the most crucial one: “Girls texting you saying you gave them Chlamydia.” Says Salvador Ambrosia.

Funnily enough, despite having unprotected sex abroad, a significant percentage of both men and women said that it didn’t occur to them to go and get tested after they returned home!

So, how do we begin to tackle this? The answer is pretty simple: Swallow your ego and go and get a screening at a sexual health clinic. You could essentially be toying with both your own and your partner’s fertility if STI’s like Chlamydia go untreated.

It doesn’t help when a number of couples find it difficult to broach the subject of sex anyway… Choosing not to speak about the problem, or avoiding the subject can have detrimental effects on both health and psychological well-being.

What does a sexually transmitted disease test entail?

This depends on what you’re being tested for, but the test is likely to include an examination of the genitals, skin, mouth, anus, providing a urine and blood sample and a swab being taken from the throat, rectum, and urethra, vagina and cervix.

It’s crucial to realise that the screening process is quick, efficient and pain free. Ten minutes of feeling slightly out of your comfort zone is definitely the best option to avoid passing on the likes of Chlamydia, genital herpes, gonorrhea or even HIV to a partner.

Many of my patients have been asking me about Human Papilloma Virus ( HPV)  Infection in the mouth and throat, and the risks associated with this infection.  I thought it might be useful to write a few words about this.

HPV is a sexually transmitted virus (STI/STD) associated with a risk of developing cervical , vaginal , vulvar  and anal cancer. We now know that there is also a link between HPV and mouth and throat ( oropharyngeal) cancers. A recent study in America concluded that about 1 in 15 Americans are infected with oral HPV.  Previous studies have shown that there has been a threefold rise in oral cancers, caused in  particular by HPV type 16, one of the most aggressive types of HPV.  There are many different strains of HPV, some more aggressive than others.

The good news is that most people will be able to clear the virus themselves, however this is harder when you are repeatedly exposed to the infection.  In a small percentage of people that have the HPV infection , it can then go on and lead to genital warts or cancers.

At the moment there is no specific treatment to prevent oral HPV infection turning into cancer. However there is a vaccine available that protects against the 4 common and more aggressive strains of HPV, called Gardasil. The vaccine consists of 3 injections over a period of 6 months. Currently the vaccine is licensed for women, however we do vaccinate at risk men as well on an off license basis. Given the new evidence that HPV is more prevalent in men, I think it is even more important that men get vaccinated against this infection, than ever before.

Protect yourself against HPV infection by getting vaccinated now!

There are 2 types of herpes infection. Herpes type 1 (HSV 1) typically, occurs around the mouth and HSV 2 typically occurs in the genital areas. However it is important to note that you can get HSV 1 infection of the genitals, and this happens commonly in adults.

Herpes has many different clinical presentations. It is possible to have no symptoms despite having been infected with the virus (asymptomatic infection) and it is estimated that this happens in as much as 80% of infections. This is a major reason why it is possible to catch herpes from a partner, who might not even aware that they have the virus. I want to point this important fact out as there is a lot of anxiety and blame involved when it comes to herpes and it can cause unnecessary difficulties in a relationship.

Once a person has been infected with either HSV 1 or 2, they will usually develop antibodies against the type they have been infected with. However this process can take several months, which is why a blood test is not always the best test to establish if a recent infection has occurred.  If you are concerned that you have been infected recently we can offer serial blood tests over a few months, to see if you develop the antibodies. If the blood test comes back positive for HSV 2, it is almost always genital herpes, whether you develop the actual lesions or not. If the test comes back as positive for HSV 1, this is more complicated, as it could be either oral (coldsores) or genital herpes. A lot of people already have antibodies to HSV 1, and this is usually just due to exposure to the virus from family members as a child. If you test positive for HSV 1, we would then go more on whether you develop lesions and if so where they develop.

Lesions usually appear within 2 days to 2 weeks after exposure to the virus. As mentioned HSV 2 is primarily passed on through sexual contact. The risk of infection is higher if someone has the active lesions present, but again, it is possible to catch the infection from someone who doesn’t have the lesions. The typical herpes lesions are blisters or erosions and they are usually quite painful, although this is dependent on how severe and aggressive the infection is, and also on the site of infection. A large proportion of people will not develop these classic symptoms, and will instead have minor symptoms such as a bit of skin irritation or even just an  abrasion in the genital area. If the skin is broken then it is possible to get a bacterial infection on top of the herpes infection.

The first attack is usually the worst and can last for several weeks. Some people will develop sensory changes in the area before the blisters appear and others might feel systemically unwell with fever , muscle pains or have enlarged lymph nodes in the groin. Lesions usually clear up eventually on their own, but if you suspect you have been infected it is best to see a doctor as soon as possible, as there are treatments that can help reduce the length and the severity of the attack, as long as the treatment is started as soon as possible after the lesions appear.

If you develop suspicious lesions or a rash in the genital area, then often we would perform a swab test from the site. This PCR test is very accurate at detecting HSV and will also distinguish between HSV 1 or 2. Results take between 3-5 working days.

The nature of herpes infection is that is is recurrent. Some people get very frequent attacks others might get one per year. It is impossible to predict the course. Most people find though that the frequency and severity of attacks subside after the first few years. However, if you have an HSV infection, you are infectious most of the time, whether you have the lesions or not. Studies show that viral shedding still occurs from the site to varying degrees even in the absence of lesions. This is probably one of the reasons why herpes infection is so common in adults, as people might not be aware that they are infectious in between outbreaks as well.

Unfortunately at the moment there is no cure for herpes. However it is possible to manage the symptoms by taking antiviral medication, either when you get an outbreak, or as suppressive therapy, over a few months, to try and keep it at bay. Herpes is not life threatening in any way. There are ways to try and reduce the likelihood of infecting sexual partners. Condoms help reduce the risk by about 50% but only if the infected area is in the area protected by the condom. It helps to notify partners so you can both be alert to signs of an outbreak and abstain during that period and as mentioned antivirals can cut transmission rates too.

Many of my female patients are worried about the effect of herpes on fertility and pregnancy. The only real issue is that if you have been infected with herpes in the vagina, then if you are pregnant the doctors need to be informed to decide if a vaginal delivery would still be ok, as there might be a risk of passing the infection on to the baby during vaginal delivery. It is also important to note that if you have been infected with Herpes , we would always advise screening for other STI’s including HIV, as we know that HSV infection makes HIV transmission a bit easier.

AIDS: Get the facts, know your status – time to get tested at Samedaydoctor

World AIDS Day is a global event held each year on 1st December and it is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV.

For over 20 years, people have observed World AIDS Day with the support from governments across the world who have pledged to do more to tackle the disease that kills 6,000 people each day. It is estimated that over 90,000 people currently live with HIV in the UK and over 34 million people globally.

Why is World AIDS Day observed?

Today, we have scientific advancements in HIV treatment and legislation to protect people living with HIV and to help and encourage people to understand more about the condition. However despite this, people still do not know the facts and unfortunately the reality for many people living with the condition is the stigma and discrimination. To fight this prejudice, increase awareness, improve education and get access to treatment quickly for those who need it, World AIDS Day serves as a reminder that HIV and AIDS have not in fact gone away.

For many people, an early death sentence into chronic health conditions can be avoided by anti-retroviral therapy, provided HIV status is detected early enough to act quickly towards treatment for a comfortable life.

80% of HIV positive people do not even know their status, and people on average find out far too late to have the best benefit from the treatment.  Don’t be part of this 80%, know your status and get tested for HIV / AIDS at Samedaydoctor, Canary Wharf.

Get involved with samedaydoctor and support World AIDS Day 2011

Get involved: World AIDS Day with Samedaydoctor

To support World AIDs Day with Samedaydoctor we advice you follow these steps in joining World AIDS Day ACT Aware:

• Learn the facts about HIV and AIDS
• Discuss HIV and AIDS with other people
• Wear a red ribbon to show your support for World AIDS Day
• Get involved in events to raise funds to support the cause
• Get tested – know you status!

World AIDS Day offer at Samedaydoctor

In support of World Aids Day, Samedaydoctor in Canary Wharf is offering a free Insti HIV test, with every full STI screen booked (usual price £295). This offer is available from 1st December until 16th December, for STI screens completed by the 16th December 2011.

Here at Samedaydoctor, Canary Wharf we strive hard to keep our patients happy and offer value for money. With this in mind we are offering a new sexual health screen that takes into account the STI (sexually transmitted infections) risks for our male patients who have sex with men (MSM screen).

When sexual health tests are requested separately they often tend to work out more expensive, this is why we develop screens that include the most common sexually transmitted infections for each group, which we can then offer at a discounted price.

With this in mind and responding to our patients requests, we have put together a screen that covers most of the usual concerns that our MSM population has. Due to the slightly elevated risk of Hepatitis C in the MSM population, we have included a test for this in the screen. The screen also includes rectal and throat swabs for chlamydia and gonorrhoea. In addition we do a Hepatitis B immunity check on individuals who have been vaccinated or a Hepatitis B antigen test for those with no prior vaccination.

Our new MSM screen will test for the following sexually transmitted infections (STI’s):

• HIV
• Hepatitis B immunity (assuming that you have been vaccinated in the past)
• Hepatitis C antibody test
• Syphilis
• Urine test for Chlamydia
• Urine test for gonorrhoea
• Urine test for NSU (Non Specific Urethritis) and other bacteria (please do not pass urine for at least 2 hours prior to your visit).
• Throat and rectal swabs for chlamydia and gonorrhoea

The new screen is priced at £395 (a saving of over £100 from having these tests priced individually) and is also available to any other patients who feel they might be at risk from any of the above STI’s.

Wait weeks to see a GP: Some patients face delays of more than a fortnight for appointment with family doctor

According to dailymail.co.uk, a survey has revealed that many patients have to wait up to three weeks or more to get an appointment at their family GP.

Over two-thirds of more than 2,000 patients have stated that they are not able to see their family doctor within two days. More than a quarter can’t get an appointment within a week, including some who have to wait even longer than a fortnight or up to three weeks.

Last year the Government scrapped a bonus, which encouraged family doctors to see patients within 48 hours. This is most likely to be connected to the steadily increased waiting times.

In addition, GPs say they are being forced to spend increasing amounts of their time filling in forms and attending meetings…

Read more…

10 health tests every man should have

According to mirror.co.uk, Men are at higher risk than women of suffering almost every serious health condition – from heart disease, diabetes to cancer.

Here is a list of the most common health conditions:

1. Blood pressure
2. Chlamydia
3. High cholesterol
4. Prostate cancer
5. Testicular cancer
6. Diabetes
7. Skin cancer
8. ….

Read more…

Chief Medical Officer: Russian roulette to avoid flu jab

According to telegraph.co.uk, people are more likely to get the vaccinations they need before going on holiday than the winter flu jab, it is claimed, prompting Government accusations that they are “playing Russian roulette with their lives”.

At-risk groups are today urged to get free flu jabs from their GP.

A Department of Health survey found that 87 per cent of those questioned would get the necessary injections to protect them against tropical diseases, such as yellow fever and typhoid, if they were “jetting off on exotic holidays to Thailand or Africa”.

But separate figures show that only half of the under-65s in England who were advised to get the seasonal flu jab last year took up the offer.

Read more…

Flu or Influenza is an infectious disease caused by viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae (the influenza viruses). It can be easily spread through the air by coughs and sneezes (droplet infection) from person to person or by coming into contact with contaminated surfaces.

We recommend getting your flu vaccine in the month of October and November (NOW) in order to afford you the best chance of protecting against infection. The vaccine takes around ten days to work and will protect you against three strains of seasonal flu, including swine flu, for around a year.

The flu vaccine is seasonal, which means every year a new batch is made. Scientists consider what strains of the virus are going to be a threat that flu season and develop the vaccine accordingly.

You have to get vaccinated annually, because the virus continually changes and develops new strains.

This means that last year’s flu vaccine will not protect you from this year’s flu virus.

Common flu symptoms

The list of the most common flu symptoms includes:

• Fever
• Chills
• Muscle pains
• Weakness/fatigue
• Severe headaches
• Sometimes a dry cough and sore throat

Flu risk groups (Flu vaccine priority groups)

For certain groups of people the risks of getting complications from flu are higher:

• Pregnant women
• Children
• The elderly
• People with other serious medical conditions (not sure if you are at higher risk?, please contact us to speak to our doctor)

According to Medical News Today, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) is advising that this winter all individuals suffering from heart disease throughout the UK should get the flu injection. In the UK there are 2.7 million individuals living with heart disease, and those with the disease who get an infection like the flu have a fourfold higher risk of suffering a heart attack.

Avoid spreading flu germs

• Always carrying tissues, using a tissue when coughing and sneezing
• Bin tissues after one use
• Wash your hands repeatedly
• Clean surfaces regularly to get rid of germs

*If you just come in for your flu vaccination, no additional charges will apply!

Warning over ‘untrustworthy’ sex health websites

Many young people worried about sexual health problems shun traditional health services for potentially untrustworthy websites, a poll suggests.

… The research showed eight in 10 relied on the internet for help without being aware of the authenticity of the sites.

Experts said it was essential the young sought help from official channels.

Nearly two-thirds of participants reported never having had a sexual health screening.

Read more…

SEX map of Britain

September is Sexual Health Information Month and, to celebrate, we delved between the sheets with superbrand Durex to uncover the sexual habits of the nation.

FROM one-night stands in Newcastle to virgins in Belfast – Britain’s biggest ever sex survey has been unveiled by your fun-loving Daily Star.

Read more…

GP referrals fall amid claims of rationed care in stretched NHS

The number of patients being referred by their GP to see a hospital specialist has dropped by almost 5% over the past year, prompting fresh concern that access to care is being rationed as a direct result of the pressure on NHS finances.

…The number of patients being seen by consultants after a GP’s referral also fell during the same period, from 3.1 million last year to 2.9 million – a drop of 5.2%. The two sets of figures do not match because many patients remain on waiting lists.

The British Medical Association (BMA), the doctors‘ trade association, said that reductions in patients’ access to healthcare were happening more often.

Read more… 

UK lifts blood ban on gay men

The Department of Health has announced that it will remove the lifetime ban on blood donation for men who have sex with men.

According to an article in Pink News states that instead, there will be a one-year deferral period, where men who have not had gay sex for 12 months can give blood. The new changes will take effect on Nov 7 in England, Wales and Scotland — Northern Ireland is still deciding what to do.

Read more…