Prevalence of sexual diseases in Vigo region triples
Not only are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) not going away, but they are still on the rise, and in Vigo, according to updated data managed by the health department, they have tripled in just three years, confirming that it is a problem that has re-emerged and He did it by force. In particular, Sergas warns of the rise of STDs with very serious health consequences, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, and even more deadly ones, such as syphilis or HIV. In the case of Vigo’s health care, the data is truly alarming: in Alvaro Cunqueiro HospitalIn just three years, the incidence of gonorrhea has tripled, from 109 cases of gonorrhea in 2019 to 276 in 2022, gradually increasing until one case is detected per day.
Even more serious is what happens to chlamydia, a bacterium that causes devastating consequences in women. often causes infertility, and for men this means severe pain and fever. Over the same period, the number of recent certifications has increased from 155 in 2020 to 637 last year, at an increasing rate, resulting in two new results every day.
In the context of Sexual Health Day, Dr. Elena Figueiredo, gynecologist at the Ribera Povis Hospital, assures that “it is very impressive that we are again seeing many cases of syphilis, because it is a disease with very serious neurological and cardiovascular consequences. and late diagnosis.” But he also warns that he believes the population as a whole has “become comfortable with HIV.” “If the generation of the 80s were afraid of them because they identified “With a fatal disease today, there is a perception that you can live with it, and the population does not realize the seriousness of the disease, even if it is not fatal.” “Most sexually transmitted infections are asymptomatic, but we should suspect abnormal vaginal discharge, vaginal itching and abdominal pain as these are diseases that cause pelvic infections that can lead to infertility. In addition, one of the main motives to be on guard is belonging to a risk group, which means a person who has several sexual partners and practices unprotected sex,” explains the specialist.
Dermatologist from the same Vigo hospital, Antonio Martinez Torres adds other symptoms such as “pelvic pain, pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse, sores or warts on the genitals, mouth and anus, vaginal or penile discharge, pain and burning sensation when urinating, increased body temperature, general malaise, and women experience vaginal discharge that is foul-smelling and strange in color or vaginal bleeding.”
Also remember that STDs are “infectious diseases transmitted from one person to another through oral, vaginal or anal sex, caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.”
In this sense, the 2022 Surveillance Report warns of increase in STD cases in the age group from 25 to 34 years, especially in men, although another significant increase was found in women from 20 to 24 years. All Ribera sexual health experts agree that the most common STDs are human papillomavirus, herpes, hepatitis, HIV, trichomoniasis, chlamydia, gonococcus and syphilis.