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According to a new study, popular dating apps like Grindr and Tinder are contributing to the increase of STDs like gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV.
The rates of sexually transmitted diseases have increased, officials warn, and this is happening on a national level.
The health experts say that dating apps, which encourage casual and even anonymous sexual encounters, are responsible for this increase in STD cases.
Also, the officials warn that having unprotected sex, having sexual relations with multiple partners and having sex while being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, are risk factors that could lead to sexual transmitted infections.
Health experts found that arranging sex dates using popular dating apps like Tinder and Grindr play an important part in the rise of STDs like syphilis, gonorrhea and even HIV.
Officials at the Rhode Island Department of Health reveal that there was an increase by 79% in syphilis cases from 2013 to 2014.
The report also says that HIV cases rose by 33% during the same period.
According to Nicole Alexander-Scott, director of Rhode Island Department of Health, although there has been significant progress in combating STDs and HIV in the last years, recent findings suggest there is still more work to be done.
The department added that the recent rise in STD cases in Rhode Island suggests there is a national trend happening.
The report shows that new cases of syphilis, HIV and AIDS are on the rise among gay, bisexual and other men who engage in sexual relations with men, and this is happening at a faster rate compared to other populations.
According to recent reports, STD infection rates are higher among African-Americans, Hispanic and young adult populations.
Ms. Alexander-Scott added that Rhode Island is very fortunate to have specialized agencies and organizations helping those who need to be educated, tested and treated for STDs.
She said that specialized public health programmes have been very helpful in reducing the number of STD cases in Rhode Island over the past thirty years.
The testing of pregnant women has eliminated the number of babies who are born to mother infected with HIV.
Also, needle exchange programmes have helped reduce the transmission of STDs among drug users.
Rosemary Reilly-Chammat, an expert in HIV and AIDS, said that the new data points out how important it is to encourage young people to talk to health officials, like doctors and nurses. It’s very important that these young people talk to an expert before and after they become sexually active.
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