STI rates up significantly in northern Ontario, says Algoma Public Health nurse
Gonorrhea infections spiked by 270% since 2010 in district, nurse says
The rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are increasing at a dramatic rate in northern Ontario and more people should be getting tested, an Algoma Public Health official is warning.
Carolyn Kargiannakis, a public health nurse, told CBC News that for diseases such as gonorrhea, the number of infections have gone up by 270 per cent in the Algoma District since 2010. The rate for this infection is higher than the national average, according to the nurse.
Kargiannakis noted new technology that allows people to use mobile applications to find sexual partners is playing a role in the findings.
"The hook-up culture that often is traditionally only thought of with young people, we're seeing an increase in older adults, as well," she said.
Many people don't know they have an STI so they don't get tested and unknowingly spread it to others, the nurse explained.
"There's always that perception that if you don't know, you don't have it, but we really encourage people to consider accessing testing as a normal part of their health care."
Kargiannakis remarked that even syphilis, which was once considered a very rare bacterial disease in northern Ontario, is also being seen in the area.
The nurse is encouraging people to go and get tested because many STIs don't have symptoms and can have serious health implications if left untreated.