Hook-up apps to blame for increase in syphilis?

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August 28, 2012 | Health Matters

Hook-up apps to blame for increase in syphilis?

A doctor in New Zealand thinks that gay hook-up apps, like Grindr, are contributing to the increase in syphilis around the world.

Heather Young examined data from the past two years, gathered at the Christchurch Sexual Health Clinic, and discovered an interesting trend: syphilis cases in men hooking up at bathhouses are declining, while guys who relied on mobile phone apps to meet for sex were increasingly likely to catch the disease.

”In 2011, sex-on-site venues were associated with 50 per cent of syphilis cases but in 2012 it is more commonly found after use of internet dating sites or the Grindr app,” said Young. “People think syphilis is an old infection that is not associated with the modern day but it is re-emerging globally.”

Apps, of course, make it easier for people to hook up. And the more men you meet for sex, the higher the chance of contracting the disease. It can be spread anally or orally; using condoms signficantly cuts the chance of transmission. As with HIV, many men don't know they have it.

“It’s difficult to say why it’s increased recently but once it’s in the community, among the men who have sex with men population, it’s just very infectious, so it’s just spreading,” explained Ed Coughlan, clinical director of sexual health at the Canterbury District Health Board.

A syphilis scare recently forced several adult production companies in LA County to shut down video shoots. The California Department of Public Health has released new figures showing syphilis cases jumped 18 percent last year compared to 2010.

The first sign of syphilis is often an ulcer-like bump on the skin, which appears 10 to 90 days after exposure. This is often found in the genital area, but can also be found around the mouth. If not caught, the bacteria can circulate into the body, causing fevers, headaches, or a rash on the hands and feet. Without treatment, a third of infected people will go on to develop tertiary syphllis, with severe consequences.

"Both the primary stage and the secondary stage are when people are most contagious," said Dr. Vanessa Allen, a medical microbiologist at Public Health Ontario. "There's a lot in your saliva, there's a lot in genital secretions, so it becomes very contagious."

On the bright side, syphillis can be effectively treated with penecillin; the earlier it's caught, the fewer shots required.

Syphilis in US porn performers sign of times; Canada also seeing resurgence [Calgary Herald]

Doctors: Use of gay apps like Grindr linked to syphilis outbreak [PinkNews]