Doctors link STI rise among Bengaluru youth to awareness gap

Doctors in Bengaluru are reporting a rise in sexually transmitted infections among adolescents and young adults, with patients as young as 16 to 18 seeking treatment. The Times of India reports that common infections include chlamydia, gonorrhoea, genital herpes, HPV and syphilis. Gynaecologists at Fortis, Altius and Sakra World hospitals say they see 20 to 40 STI cases in patients under 20 each year, often arriving with friends rather than parents.

Dr Sneha Rajiv of Fortis Hospital said the trend over the past five years partly reflects greater awareness and improved diagnostic access, not necessarily riskier behaviour. However, doctors warn that many young people wrongly believe the absence of symptoms means they are infection-free. Asymptomatic STIs can lead to infertility, chronic pelvic pain and increased HIV risk if untreated.

The doctors urge comprehensive, evidence-based sex education in schools, including consent, contraception and HPV vaccination. They call for confidential, non-judgmental healthcare settings to help reduce stigma and encourage timely testing and treatment.