Trends in incidence of syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, herpes, anogenital warts and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) within the UK have, in general, increased over the time period 1996 – 2001. This is partly due to an increase in high-risk sexual activity coupled with persisting ignorance of the consequences of unprotected sex. Other factors include migration of infected populations into the UK and acquisition abroad and subsequent importation of drug-resistant sexually transmitted infection (STIs) by British subjects. The brunt of sexual ill health is borne by women, gay men, teenagers, and black and minority ethnic groups, especially within London. There are effective treatments for STIs but the emphasis is on early identification to prevent their sequelae. This is especially true for HIV where efficacy of treatment has been dramatically improved, but that efficacy is all but lost once AIDS is diagnosed. Pregnant women diagnosed as having HIV can have the risk of vertical transmission reduced dramatically by drug therapy, surgical delivery and avoidance of breast feeding. The National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV provides a funded framework for better prevention of STIs, provision of better services and better sexual health.
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