The number of syphilis cases is rising rapidly and worryingly in Northern Ireland, according to new figures. 

Sex on Female First

Sex on Female First

Health experts have warned they are seeing a rise in the sexually transmitted infection. 

The latest figures on syphilis in Northern Ireland come from 2011, showing 52 cases in that year, but sexual health workers say that numbers today are far higher. 

What's worrying is that a doctor has reported rgular cases of babies being affected by the disease. 

If the STI is left untreated it can have a number of side affects on the patient, including mental deterioration, blindbess, deafness and it can also afface the central nervous system. 

What's more is that it can be transferred to unborn babies, which causes miscarriages, premature births and stillbirths. 

Dr Wallace Dinsmore of the Royal Victoria Hospital told BBC News: "Syphilis is something that we thought had gone, now it is a daily occurrence.

"We have cases of babies affected by syphilis once every two weeks."

A decade ago the disease was almost eradicated in Northern Ireland, but it is now being described as a "daily occurrence".


by for relationships.femalefirst.co.uk
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