Tinder has opened a world of possibilities to the world of dating, but doctors are warning that popular dating apps could spark an ‘explosion of HIV cases’ amongst heterosexuals.
Speaking on BBC Radio 1, Dr Peter Greenhouse, of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, insisted that the risk of contracting an STI could increase dramatically with the use of Tinder and Happn:
“You are able to turn over partners more quickly with a dating app and the quicker you change partners, the more likely you are to get infections.
“What really worries me is that we are just at a tipping point for HIV. If enough people change partners quickly, and they’ve got other untreated sexually transmitted infections, it might just start an explosion of HIV in the heterosexual population. Apps could do that.”
According to MailOnline, Greenhouse added that apps like Tinder have a social responsibility to promote safe sex.
Arguing Greenhouse’s position, BBC journalist George Kidd reminded the doctor that the apps can’t control its users’ behaviours:
“People do this – not apps. If someone was feeling frivolous they might suggest blaming the tube system or leading pub chains for helping people meet.”
It’s now believed that between 25 and 40 per cent of all relationships now begin online.
The news follows US reports from May, where The Rhode Island Department of Health revealed from 2013 to 2014, there was an increase of cases of syphilis (79 per cent), gonorrhoea (30 per cent) and HIV (by almost 33 per cent) amongst dating app users.
So what’s the main message to take away?
It might sound obvious, but make sure to have safe sex.
Make sure to use a contraception that suits your needs and be sure to get regularly tested to keep yourself in tip-top sexual health.
