Rise in number of recorded STIs

Anyone who may be at risk should contact a sexual health specialist

There has been a rise in the number of people in Cornwall who are being diagnosed with syphilis.

Specialists at the Royal Cornwall Hospital's sexual health clinic said they had seen more cases in the past four months than in three years.

Many of the patients being treated were also infected with other sexually transmitted diseases, they said.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI), which is easily passed on during unprotected sex.

Risk awareness

It can be difficult to diagnose; and although it is curable, it can have serious health consequences if left untreated.

Dr Frances Keane, lead consultant for sexual health, said the increase mirrored others around the country.

"What is more worrying is that most of the patients presenting to us had been infected with syphilis within the county, but were completely unaware they were at risk," she said.

Anyone who thinks they could be at risk, should contact the Genito-Urinary Medicine department at the hospital.