Dating app warning amid rising STI cases

Queenslanders are being urged to think twice when using dating apps for sex following another rise in confirmed cases of chlamydia and gonorrhoea.

Queenslanders using dating apps for no strings sex are being warned to protect themselves amid rising cases of chlamydia and gonorrhoea.

Gonorrhoea notifications in the state increased by a staggering 32 per cent in 2016, while chlamydia cases rose by 7.5 per cent.

Those aged under 30 account for the majority of infections, which can cause long-term complications including infertility.

Dr Bill Boyd says STI transmission is entirely down to human behaviour and people need to think twice when using dating apps for hook-ups.

"Certainly we see computer dating and a short time between meeting and having intercourse," the Australian Medical Association Queensland vice-president told AAP.

"It's just asking for trouble because the issue is it's likely the people that they meet are doing the same thing - having unprotected sex with multiple partners in a short period of time."

Public Health Physician Dr Mandy Seel said a range of factors, including higher screening rates, could be attributed to the rise in chlamydia and gonorrhoea cases.

"It is likely that increases in notifications are a combination of increased screening, improved access to testing and treatment and increased rates of infection," she said.

Queensland Health recommends sexually active people under 30 have annual chlamydia tests, even if they have no symptoms as three-quarters of cases are silent or asymptomatic.

As a specialist gynaecologist, Dr Boyd sees the significant damage caused to women's fertility by chlamydia and gonorrhoea, which can be avoided if treated early.

But prevention is far better than a cure.

"If someone knows food is tainted at a restaurant they wouldn't eat the food, yet they're prepared to hop into bed with someone who may give them something nasty," Dr Boyd said.

"If it's not on, it's not on."

STI NOTIFICATIONS IN QUEENSLAND

CHLAMYDIA:

2016: 22,585

2015: 21,005

2014: 20.987

2013: 20,144

2012: 18,754

GONORRHOEA:

2016: 4020

2015: 3037

2014: 2718

2013: 2728

2012: 2689

(Source: Queensland Health)


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Source: AAP



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