Cases Of STIs In U.K. Increase By 6%; Young People Disproportionately Affected, Health Agency Says

The number of sexually transmitted infections in the United Kingdom increased by 6% in 2007, with young people disproportionately affected, the U.K. Health Protection Agency said on Tuesday, Reuters reports. The agency recommended that young sexually active people get tested annually for STIs and again every time they change partners. According to HPA, the number of newly diagnosed STIs in the country increased among all age groups from 375,843 in 2006 to 397,990 in 2007. The increase might be in part because of a 10% increase in the number of STI screenings from 2006 to 2007, Peter Borriello, director of HPA's Centre for Infections, said. People ages 18 to 24 account for only one-eighth of the total population, but the group accounts for about 50% of all newly diagnosed STI cases in the U.K. In 2007, people ages 18 to 24... [read full story]