Doctors In Retirement Community Seeing Increase In STDs

Doctors in The Villages are seeing increased numbers of seniors afflicted with a health problem most associate with the young. Sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise.

The Villages boasts itself as Florida's friendliest hometown. It's one of the state's largest retirement communities, where hits from yesteryear are piped thru the market square and golf carts are the vehicle of choice.

Doctors in the age-restricted community are seeing increased numbers of cases of herpes, and the Human Papillomavirus virus, or HPV.

While statistics aren't yet reflecting the trend, one physician at the Women's Center of The Villages said, even in her years working in Miami, she has never seen so many cases.

Email News Sign-Up Multiple Choices - Auto sign-up (LEFT ALIGN) GET WFTV NEWS HEADLINES BY EMAIL 9 a.m. Headlines Noon Headlines 4 p.m. Headlines News of the Strange Breaking News Alerts The news, as one may imagine, has opened up quite a dialogue for folks living there.

"I wouldn't hop in bed with anybody," said resident Dorothy Mitchelson.

Eyewitness News was surprised to find that as uncomfortable as the subject may be for some, most the women approached were quite willing to talk about it, and about the difficulties of determining who the carriers of the diseases may be.

"What, are they supposed to wear a sign that says I have it, I don't have it?" questioned resident Janice Pelletier.

The bottom line is, this is a trend facing many seniors, not just in Central Florida, but around the country. Experts said a lack of sexual education is what's causing it. And, while some may consider the topic taboo, resident Helen Hecht said it's about time.

"I have a single girlfriend who just broke up with a guy. She said, 'If I had to do it over gain, I'd make him get a blood test,'" she said.

In order to try and educate more residents of The Villages, the Leesburg Regional Medical Center plans to launch a public education program on safe sex and STD risks.