In a recent study by Desai et al published in the journal Sexually Transmitted infection it was estimated that the annual cost of treating genital warts in general practice and genitourinary clinics was approximately £16.8 million. Most of this is potentially preventable if the government chooses the quadrivalent Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine which includes HPV typed 6 and 11 which are the commonest cause of genital infections in addition to types 16 and 18 which are the main causes of cervical cancer. Unfortunately the Department of Health currently advocates vaccination with a vaccine containing types 16 and 18 only which would not protect against genital warts and is also more expensive.
Category: Sexual health
Older swingers at risk of STI
Swingers – straight couples who regularly swap sexual partners at organised gatherings and clubs and indulge in group sex – have rates of sexually transmitted infections comparable with those of recognised high risk groups, reveals research published ahead of print in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Those who are over the age of 45 are particularly vulnerable, indicates the research, yet swingers are largely ignored by healthcare services, representing a “missed target,” say the authors.
Sponsored bicycle ride for STIRF
I am cycling from Birmingham to London this weekend August 12 to raise funds for STIRF and its research. Any help is more than welcome. You can pay either by PayPal on the site or a cheque made out to STIRF and sent to:
Mohsen Shahmanesh
c/o Whittall Street Clinic
Whittall Street
Birmingham B4 6DH