New Study Says Senior Citizens Contracting More STDs Than Youth
By Dan Hoffman
A new study published by the Center for Disease Control showed there has been a significant increase in the rate of syphilis and chlamydia infections among seniors (55+). The increase is even more marked in Florida.
From 2005 to 2009, the number of reported cases of syphilis and chlamydia in seniors rose 43 percent; this figure rose to 71 percent for central Florida and 62 percent for the whole state. In some cases, these rates were almost double those of the rates for other age groups.
There are a number of factors influencing the increase. Today’s seniors come from a generation of liberated youth that was accustomed to frequent sex without connies, and was taught little in the way of STD prevention. The emergence of medications such as Viagra has enabled seniors to continue to have healthy amounts of sex, and because so many seniors live in retirement communities, there are many opportunities to get laid.
“The flower children who were in their 20s back in the 1960s are now in their 70s,” said Dr. Jason Salagubang, a geriatrician at Florida Hospital Apopka. “They’re the make-love-not-war generation, and old habits die hard.”
Because of the various health problems associated with old age (heart conditions, diabetes, etc.), STDs among seniors can be more damaging than they are for youth. As a result of the increase in infections, Medicare is considering providing coverage for STD screening and behavioral counseling for seniors.