Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
BBC News - December 1, 2007
Dot Kirby, BBC NI health correspondent
The fastest growing is chlamydia - which can cause infertility.
There were nearly 2,000 new cases last year - a rise of more than 20%. Syphilis and genital herpes also show significant increases.
"The figures indicate that many people are continuing to ignore basic advice - it's essential they wake up to the safe sex message," said Dr Neil Irvine.
Dr Irvine is a consultant epidemiologist with the Communicable Diseases Surveillance Centre in Belfast.
Their report, published on Firday, shows a small drop in the number of new cases of HIV - there were 57 new people diagnosed with it last year.
Graph of HIV infections
Nevertheless, as the graph shows, the Northern Ireland figures are sharply up on what they were even five years ago.
One local woman, who has HIV, spoke anonymously to the BBC about the devastation of diagnosis.
"I was in my late 20s and at that point ... having a career, having a life and not really thinking about... long term. And the first thing I said was 'No husband, no kids'," she said.
"When you are diagnosed life changes, who you think you are changes - who you think other people think you are changes, so getting into relationships is tricky.
"And it took me a long time to restore my own self confidence, restore my own sense of who I am enough to be able to get into a relationship."
Saturday is World Aids Day and the HIV Support Centre are organising a conference to mark the event at Stormont.
Kieran Harris of the centre said: "Our activities this weekend are all about raising awareness of HIV and Aids. We are keen to remove the stigma which surrounds both."
071201
BB071205
Copyright © 2007 - BBC. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the BBC.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation UK, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2007. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2007. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.
.