‘More Than 300m To Get V.d.’ (Press, 26 October 1981)

Dr R. D. Catterall, the president of the International Union against Venereal Diseases, made alarming statements regarding the global rise of venereal diseases during an international conference in Christchurch on 25 October 1981. He projected that more than 300 million individuals would contract venereal diseases in the following year and highlighted the World Health Organisation’s estimates of around 250 million new cases of gonorrhoea and 50 million new cases of syphilis annually. However, he pointed out that the true incidence of many sexually transmitted infections (STIs), numbering over 24, remains largely unknown, with some believed to be more prevalent than the historically recognised diseases. Dr Catterall warned that the outlook for STIs is grim, with an expectation of increasing infections, albeit at a slower rate than seen in the past two decades. A significant concern is the growing antibiotic resistance in treating these diseases, particularly gonorrhoea, which first showed strains resistant to penicillin in Britain and the United States in 1976. He reported that resistant strains are now seen globally, especially due to the overuse of antibiotics without prescriptions in various regions, notably in Southeast Asia and West Africa. The doctor asserted that while substantial advancements have been made in treating STIs with the introduction of antibiotics like penicillin, emerging diseases and pathogens complicate treatment. Notably, a new class of sexually transmitted infections, primarily viral in nature, pose greater health risks than traditional diseases like syphilis and gonorrhoea. Among these, the Herpes simplex virus is particularly troubling in developed nations, causing severe pain and serious complications, including cancer of the cervix and risks during childbirth. Another critical issue highlighted was the prevalence of symptomless infections; up to 60 per cent of women and 10 per cent of men with gonorrhoea might not exhibit symptoms, delaying diagnosis and treatment. The silent nature of these infections facilitates further transmission, as many remain unaware of their condition. Dr Catterall also raised alarms about the role of contraceptive methods that do not protect against STIs, such as the contraceptive pill and intrauterine devices (IUDs), compared to barrier methods like condoms. The tendency for self-treatment with antibiotics without professional guidance exacerbates the issue of antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, he indicated that global travel contributes to the rapid spread of these diseases, particularly in tourist hotspots. Ultimately, Catterall stressed the necessity for improved health education and a more tolerant societal approach towards those infected to better combat the rising rates of sexually transmitted diseases. Without such advancements in education and treatment approaches, he expected the prevalence of STIs to continue to rise in the years ahead.

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