News Archive

Please note that the archived news item below may contain information that is out-of-date.

Media Enquiries

For all media enquiries contact the NHS Lanarkshire Communications Department by emailing media@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk

If your media request is urgent, please call us on 01698 752632.
For media enquiries out of hours, including the bank holidays, please call the switchboard on 01236 748748 and ask for the on duty press officer.

Visit our most recent news

Rise in Lanarkshire syphilis cases prompts health warning

Dec 14, 2018

Sexual health team

NHS Lanarkshire has issued a warning about syphilis following a rise in the number of cases diagnosed by its sexual health service.

The increase has been most marked in heterosexual men and women aged over 20, and in gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men.

The health board has launched a festive public awareness social media campaign to promote safer sex and prevent further infections occurring and to encourage anyone who may have put themselves at risk to see their GP or attend a sexual health clinic in order to be assessed and tested.

Even though an increase in the number of cases of syphilis in 16-20 year olds has not been seen, the campaign will also target this important group.

Dr John Logan, NHS Lanarkshire consultant in public health medicine, said: “The festive party season is often associated with an increase in risk-taking sexual behaviour.

“Some people are not aware of the risk of syphilis or see it as an infection of the past.

“That’s not the case and with an increase in the number of people in Lanarkshire being diagnosed with syphilis, we feel it is important to highlight to people the risks of unprotected sex.

“Although the number of cases is relatively small – in Lanarkshire in 2017 there were 19 cases of heterosexually acquired syphilis and 48 cases in men who have sex with men – Lanarkshire residents, who make up about 12 per cent of the Scottish population, accounted for one third of the heterosexual cases in Scotland in 2017.

“We want people to be aware of what syphilis is, how it can be prevented and treated, and what the harmful long-term impact of untreated syphilis infection can be.

“When diagnosed syphilis can be treated with antibiotics, but if not treated it can cause serious damage to the heart, arteries, nervous system and may lead to blindness.”

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that affects both men and women and is passed on easily by unprotected (condom-less) vaginal, anal and oral sex.

People with syphilis may develop a round sore in the genital area, anus or in their mouth. The sore can appear between 10 days to 12 weeks after infection and is usually painless.

They may also develop a rash over their body, the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Importantly, some people may not have any symptoms

NHS Lanarkshire is working jointly with the Lanarkshire Blood Borne Viruses (BBV) Prevention & Care Network, Health Protection Scotland, Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), Waverley Care and North and South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnerships to address the issue.

Dr Anne McLellan, Lead Clinician for the Lanarkshire sexual health service, added: “Clearly the best approach is to practise safer sex and prevent infection.

“It is important for people to understand that oral sex can lead to sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis as some people aren’t aware of this.

“If you feel you may have put yourself at risk, contact a sexual health clinic for a sexual health check-up – even if you are not experiencing symptoms. We recommend that gay and bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men, who have been at risk attend a sexual health clinic every three months for a regular check-up.

“You can get a Fastest carried out by THT – a free drop-in service – which will give you the results in less than five minutes.

“It’s better to get tested and treated as soon as possible, especially if you have in the past, or recently, had unprotected sex”.

For further information about syphilis and where to access sexual health clinics for testing, including the Fastest, visit www.LanarkshireSyphilis.org

For information on where to access free condoms at centres throughout Lanarkshire, visit www.freecondomslanarkshire.org

Near Me Lanarkshire