Health experts blame Brits 'abroad' for rise in sex infections

London, July 17 : With the cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) reaching new heights in the UK, health experts have blamed randy Brits abroad for bringing back unwanted 'holiday souvenirs'.

Experts have warned that risky sex among Brit's youth has driven the numbers of STIs to new highs in the UK.

The overall total of STIs last year was six per cent higher than in 2006, according to the Health Protection Agency.

Of 380,000 newly diagnosed cases, 200,000 related to people aged 16 to 24.

This age group accounted for two-thirds of all chlamydia cases, 55 per cent of all genital warts and half of all gonorrhoea sufferers.

A study found that 40 per cent of young women do not carry or use condoms when they go abroad.

"If someone looks well groomed and desirable, it's assumed they're OK," The Sun quoted GP Dr Carol Cooper, as saying.

"But the danger is that many STIs are symptomless. Many young people also don't seem to be aware that they can get STIs without full sex.

"Drunken fumbles that result in genital contact can lead to infection too," she added.

Professor Peter Borriello, director of the HPA's centre for infections, said casual sex is now seen as "part of life" for young people.

And he added: "SHAG now stands for Syphilis, Herpes, Anal warts and Gonorrhoea.

"A casual shag is part of the territory, but if you're going to go diving into the pool, make sure you know how to swim - i.e. use a condom."

ANI