Record number are treated for HIV

The number of cases of HIV has gone up by a third

More than 500 people in the north-east of England are being treated for HIV - an increase of 33% in just one year, a new report reveals.

The number of cases of other sexually transmitted diseases including genital warts and syphilis, has also risen by 8% compared with 4% nationally.

Health chiefs in the region say part of the reason for the rise in cases is that more patients are being tested.

The new figures are revealed in a report by the Health Protection Agency.

Dr Vivien Hollyoak, director of the HPA in the North East, said: "The increase in the number of newly diagnosed infections is the result of a combination of factors including more people coming forward to be tested and improved screening programmes."

Safe sex

The new figures published on Thursday reveal that there are 37,079 with HIV nationally, with 542 cases in the North East compared to 409 last year.

Of these patients, 49% are heterosexual men and women - an increase of 4%, although most infections were contracted abroad.

The spread of infection in gay and heterosexual men in the region has slowed down in percentage terms, from 45% of cases to 41%, although actual numbers have increased.

The report also reveals that because of the strain on sexual health clinics, fewer than a third of patients are seen within 48 hours of asking for an appointment.

Professor Pat Troop, chief executive of the Agency, said the best way to prevent the spread of disease was through practising safe sex and early testing.

HIV is a virus that hits the body's immune system so it can no longer fight certain infections.

It develops into full blown Aids (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) when a victim contracts illnesses as a direct result of HIV weakening their immune system.