STD Rates Skyrocket among Seniors: Survey

According to the 2010 National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior, condoms are used in only about six percent of sexual encounters among those 61 and older. Translation: Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are spreading like wildfire among seniors today.

Public health expert Ezekiel J. Emanuel notes via the New York Times that chlamydia infections have increased by 31 percent and syphilis infections by 52 percent in Americans over the age of 65. According to Emanuel, those numbers are similar to those seen in their early 20s.

"Combine retirement communities, longer life, unfamiliarity with condoms and Viagra - and what do you get? You get an STD epidemic among the social security generation that rivals what we imagine is happening in those 'Animal House' fraternities," Emanel said, via the New York Times. 

Health officials blame a lack of awareness regarding both AIDs and STD's in older generations for the lack of use regarding prevention methods.

As many seniors may be returning to the dating scene after a divorce or the death of a spouse, some may simply be unaware of the health issues that can occur from unprotected sexual encounters. Though many might think of sex education as something only taught in middle school, health officials are stressing that all seniors be educated and regularly tested based on these recent statistics.

"Retirement communities are becoming like college campuses. They cram a lot of similarly aged people together, and when they do, things naturally happen," Emanuel said, via the news organization. "I mentioned these numbers to a friend, and she was not surprised. When her father moved into an assisted-living facility, she said, three women came by to introduce themselves within 30 minutes. And it wasn't to compare Medicare pharmacy plans."

With modern medicine, many elderly individuals are in better shape than ever before, and sexual health will always play an important part of every stage of life. However, it's also important to play it safe-especially if a new partner is involved, no matter your age.