As they wrote, sexually transmitted diseases can be cured, even HIV infection can be treated well, but if left untreated, they can cause serious health damage, so their timely recognition is important.

Péter Holló, director of the university's dermatology, venereology and dermatological oncology clinic, emphasized that it is extremely important to recognize and treat sexually transmitted infections (STDs) as soon as possible, as this is the main means of avoiding further spread.

The professor said that the most common cause of cervical cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV), but it can also cause oral cancer. Syphilis infection can lead to cardiovascular or nervous system syphilis in the long term, but untreated gonorrhea and Chlamydia can also have late complications: in women, pelvic inflammation and as a result, infertility, and arthritis can develop.

The National STD Center diagnoses and treats sexually transmitted infections in the largest number in the country, but it also performs screening tests for asymptomatic patients.

Béla Tóth, the head of the center, said that the number of infected people diagnosed at the center is increasing year by year. Gonorrhea was diagnosed in 197 patients in 2015, and in 2024 in 341 cases. The number of syphilis patients increased from 218 to 494 in the same years. The number of confirmed Chlamydia infections was 101 in 2024, here a comparison is available for 2023, when this number was 72. 

The number of people diagnosed with LGV (lymphogranuloma venereum) remains low, but the trend is increasing: three patients were affected in 2015, and seven in 2024.
 

According to data from the National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy, only the number of registered gonorrhea cases in Hungary decreased between 2023 and 2024, from 1,304 to 1,218. 

According to experts, it is likely that the number of unregistered cases is significantly higher and is unlikely to decrease.

Syphilis was diagnosed in 1,503 people last year, compared to 1,157 a year earlier, while in 2015 there were only 617 cases. 

The number of confirmed Chlamydia infections was 610 in 2024 compared to 590 in 2023. The number of people infected with LGV - at least those diagnosed - is still low, less than 10, but the trend is increasing.

According to experts, the actual number of people infected with gonorrhea and Chlamydia may be many times higher than the statistical data.
 

Béla Tóth highlighted that the incubation period of sexually transmitted diseases varies greatly, while for example in the case of gonorrhea it is only a few days, syphilis can remain asymptomatic for years and is very contagious in the early stages.
 

According to Péter Holló, there needs to be much greater awareness of sexually transmitted diseases than there is currently. However, the majority of sexually active people are unaware of the dangers and the real risk of infection.

This is shown by the fact that sexually transmitted diseases do not only affect young people, the number of infected people is increasing in all age groups, both sexes, and among heterosexuals as well.

The university's statement said that recent evidence suggests that vaccines against meningococcus (purulent meningitis) may provide cross-protection against gonorrhea infection. The explanation, they wrote, is that "the bacteria responsible for the two diseases are close relatives."

Based on a comparative analysis and meta-analysis of studies conducted on the subject by researchers at Semmelweis University, the OMV vaccine protects against mumps with a moderate, 30-40 percent, efficacy. 

According to the researchers, it is worth considering administering the meningococcal B vaccine to groups at high risk for sexually transmitted diseases, specifically to reduce the risk of gonorrhea infection, they wrote.

Screening is currently available for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B and C infections. HIV and syphilis screening is available free of charge in Budapest and nationwide, the announcement reads.

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