Cumbria sees rise in HIV and AIDS

Health officials in Cumbria have warned of a rise in the number of cases of HIV and AIDS reported in the county.

According to NHS Cumbria, between January and June last year 13 new diagnoses were made, which contrasts with only 17 in the whole of 2007.

Of the new cases, 12 were found to have been as the result of heterosexual intercourse, according to the HIV and AIDS in the North West of England Mid Year 2008 report.

John Ashton, NHS Cumbria's Director of Public Health said: "Although there's been only a small number of new cases of HIV and Aids in Cumbria, it's still an issue that we can't ignore.

"If you are having sex with a new or multiple partners you need to take the correct precautions and only condoms offer protection. We can't be complacent, although people suffering from HIV can live near normal lives with medication, there is no cure."

The report also found that the region had experienced a rise in other sexually transmitted diseases, such as herpes, chlamydia and gonorrhoea.