SEXUALLY transmitted diseases (STDs), particularly genital herpes and genital warts, are steadily on the increase, dermatologists warned yesterday.
In an effort to increase STD awareness and to educate the general public, dermatologists, who are also specialised in venereology, are offering free clinical examinations tomorrow, said Dr Constantinos Demetriou, Cyprus Dermatology and Venereology Association President.
“Because there is a reduced fear of AIDS, due to advances in available treatments, people are less concerned about using protection during sexual intercourse,” he told the Cyprus Mail.
“The problem is these treatments only help to prolong sufferers’ lives, they don’t offer miracle cures, which many wrongly believe they do.” The result of the growing complacency is a global increase in other STDs, such as the highly contagious viral infections genital warts and herpes, as well as the bacterial infection, chlamydia.
Demetriou said there were no statistics to determine how widespread the problem was in Cyprus because it was difficult for people to admit they had an STD. “It’s a taboo and many people don’t even go to the doctor for diagnosis, let alone talk about it. Because we live in a small society people are afraid that their condition will be made known to everyone.”
The doctor said multiple partners, increased travel, casual sex on holiday and a lack of protection were four major contributing factors to the increasing problem, with both sexes equally at risk.
“Casual relations with cabaret artistes in Cyprus have also led to the transmission of more STDs,” he added.
Worse still, some STDs such as types of the human papillomavirus (HPV) or chlamydia, when left untreated and unmonitored, could lead to cancer or sterility respectively.
He said: “Herpes on the other hand cannot be cured and sufferers relapse. Symptoms when the virus is active include blistering, a burning sensation and itching. Because it cannot be cured, patients are denied from enjoying a normal sex life because as a carrier the virus could be transmittable in its dormant stage, and when active it is definitely transmittable.”
Demetriou encouraged the public to take advantage of tomorrow’s national clinical examinations.
“People need to learn that dermatologists are specialists in skin disorders of the external genital area. STDs are often difficult to diagnose and people go to other doctors and there is either a misdiagnosis or the condition goes undiagnosed because the symptoms are so mild or even nonexistent.”
The reason behind the annual campaign was to help break existing taboos, better inform people and to teach them to take precautions, he said.
All dermatologists around the island will be giving free examinations after patients have made an appointment. If, however, tests need to be carried out patients will have to pay, he said. Every year more and more patients take part in the campaign, highlighting its success, Demetriou added.
