Safe sex advice as syphilis cases soar

YOUNG people are being warned not to take risks with their sexual health during the party season after an outbreak of potentially fatal syphilis.

GPs across Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire have been asked to be on the lookout for early signs of the sexually-transmitted infection.

The alert follows the discovery of a cluster of heterosexually acquired syphilis cases in teenagers in the Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale areas.

Most of the patients are aged 15-17. It is rare to find such a cluster in heterosexuals and people so young. Only six cases were detected in under-16s in the UK in 2007.

Dr Helen Lewis-Parmar, a consultant in public health with NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, said: “These patients were picked up as a result of routine screening in genitourinary medicine clinics.

“They didn’t have symptoms of syphilis at the time it was discovered, which suggests to us that there may be other young people out there who have early syphilis without knowing it.

“That is why our appeal to health professionals and to young people generally is so important.

“It’s very important for young people to heed the safer sex message.

“This is a time of year when everyone lets their hair down, but my message to young people is don’t forget to protect your sexual health.

“Use a condom. It can only take one occasion of unprotected sex to pick up an infection.”

Dr Lorraine Lighton, the Health Protection Agency’s North-West sexual health expert, said: “The risk is particularly great over Christmas and New Year when people all too often drink too much and lose their inhibitions.”

Syphilis usually begins with one or more painless, highly infectious ulcers with secondary symptoms, which may develop months later, including a rash.

Late syphilis occurs about four years after untreated primary syphilis and can affect the heart, respiratory tract or central nervous system.