A significant 65% increase in incidents with syphilis from 2020 to 2022 – during the Coronovation Pandemic – in our country, noted a study by Andreas Sygros Hospital published in the journal Journal of European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. Mantouvalou, Professor of Dermatology-Aphrodisiology of the NCSR, 1st Clinic of Venere and Dermatics Hospital “Andreas Sygros” and Vice President of the Hellenic Dermatology and Aphrodisiology Society (EDA).

As the distinguished dermatologist said, EDYY data, and ECDC Europeans, were then made public, which have shown that this trend is not something limited in Greece, but exists in Europe and America.

“A very large increase in these two diseases. Not in all sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Because in the warts we observe a decrease in the hospital, which may be due to the vaccination program implemented in Greece for the last 20 years for HPV viruses. “

Increasing sex partners and non -use of condoms basic guilty

But how is the restoration of the medieval diseases of the Middle Ages, the teacher is reasonably asked.

“They are not diseases of the Middle Ages. There is syphilis and mucosa. They had not been eliminated. The rates were just lower and unfortunately, in recent years there is a great deal of rise. What is particularly due to the Covid pandemic is a bit difficult to say, since the health system has not changed, nor the accessibility to it, “he said.

“The difference we see in the patients we had before, compared to those we had afterwards, is in the number of sexual partners. So it seems that people have more sex partners, they do not use a condom, and we think this is the main reason for the increase of these two STDs. “

Necessary a broader campaign updates on suspicious symptoms – what are they

According to the professor suspicious symptoms that will mobilize the patient to go to the dermatologist are:

– a rash in the genetic area that can be a small wound, or a redness.

– It may be some rashes that look like molees and it is a wart.

– It may be an increase in vaginal fluids in women, or the outflow of fluid from the urethra, that is, the urethral secretion to men.

“Most of the symptoms of STDs are in the genetic area and in the anus area. However, syphilis can have an extensive rash on the rest of the body, with special location in palms and soles, ”explains Ms. Nikolaidou.

“The ECHR is making a campaign for sexually transmitted diseases every year, but I think there should be a wider campaign. Perhaps from EDYY on this issue, so that all the population is informed that there are still mucosa and syphilis. It would be good to have an information on what are the symptoms that one may have, to think that it may have an STD and go to the specialist doctor, who is the dermatologist aphrodisiologist, “the Vice President of the ECHR said.

Preventive control and responsible behavior

Of course, because some STDs may be slow to appear, it is advisable to have a preventive screening from time to time, Mrs Nikolaidou stresses, explaining what he may include: “Initially a blood sampling that we can check if there is HIV, syphilis, hepatitis, Examination, which detects the genetic material of germs, which cause STDs, even in patients who are completely asymptomatic. ”

Responsible behavior in selecting sex partners and use condoms on holiday

What we do, what we do not do on our summer vacations is the last question that is asked to the Dermatology-Venereology Professor of EKPA.

“At this time we must have a more responsible behavior in choosing sex partners. It is definitely a period of relaxation that we all want to have a good time. It is advisable to use a condom that does not protect 100% of all diseases when we have sexual intercourse with a new partner. But it provides a very high proportion of protection. “