Sexually transmitted infections can surface years later; experts urge testing

In brief

• Experts in Opole warned that effective treatment has not eliminated the risk of sexually transmitted infections.
• Some infections are only diagnosed years after they were acquired because people avoid testing.
• Sixteen cases of congenital syphilis in small children have been confirmed.

Treatment is not the same as prevention

Experts gathered in Opole to discuss sexual health with students. A central theme was the gap between what modern medicine can do and how seriously people take the risk. Medication now allows many people to live with an infection, but speakers stressed that this does not make prevention optional.

Infections found late

According to the report, many people avoid getting tested, and as a result some infections are identified only years after they were acquired. Specialists point to this delay as one of the main reasons why sexually transmitted diseases remain a public health concern.

Recent cases among children

In a separate report, 16 cases of congenital syphilis in small children have been confirmed (Potwierdzone 16 przypadków kiły wrodzonej u małych dzieci. Choroby przenoszone drogą płciową stanowią zagrożenie – infoDENT24). Congenital syphilis is passed from mother to child, which means the infection can affect newborns and infants when it is not detected and treated during pregnancy. The cases underline that the consequences of untested infections reach beyond the people who carry them.

Who organised the meeting

The Opole event, titled "An Important Conversation About Young People's Health", was held at the Voivodeship Public Library. It was organised by the regional marshal's office and the Youth Sejmik of the Opole Voivodeship, with support from the State Sanitary Inspection and the National AIDS Centre (Zakażenie może ujawnić się po latach. Eksperci apelują o badania – WP abcZdrowie). Participants said the aim was to give young people accurate information and encourage them to seek testing.

What comes next

Experts argue that routine testing and open conversation about sexual health are the most practical steps for reducing late diagnoses. Infections often cause no symptoms, so people who feel healthy may still need to be checked.