SAVE MONEY ON TRAVEL DEALS

Researchers monitored the numbers of sexually transmitted diseases diagnosed in 19 sexual health clinics and reported to the Health Protection Agency's Regional Surveillance Unit from 1996 to 2003.

In total, 4,445 sexually transmitted disease episodes were identified among people ages 45 and older during that time. Most were straight men and women.

The study, published in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections, found rates of sexually transmitted diseases have doubled among those over age 45 during the study period.

The most commonly diagnosed infection among those older than 45 was genital warts -- 45 percent. Herpes was the next most common, accounting for 19 percent.

Cases of Chlamydia, herpes, warts, gonorrhea and syphilis all rose sharply among the middle-aged, the study said. The cumulative rate of infections more than doubled from 16.7 per 100,000 of the population in 1996 to 36.3 per 100,000 of the population in 2003.

The numbers of infections identified in younger age groups rose 97 percent during the period of the study while those identified in the over 45 age group rose 127 percent.

 BREAKING STORIES

Claim: Magic Johnson 'faked' AIDS

Family key to avoiding HIV in mentally ill

Study: HIV began about 80-100 years ago

Circumcision may not protect gay men

Scientists watch as HIV matures

Nobel Prize in medicine awarded to three

CDC: More than 1 million have HIV in U.S.

Risky TV sexual behavior may be modeled

Expert: Media pressures teens to have sex

Prostitute jailed for soliciting with HIV

Men 'on the down low' fear disclosure

Cost-effective HIV monitoring system found

Meek immune response helps AIDS survival

Long term sought for HIV-secretive man

Study evaluates HIV genetic screening

Florida doctors guilty of Medicare fraud

CDC: Blacks, gays most at risk for HIV

Calif. man to get his 'HIV' vanity plate

STDs increase HIV risk if exposed

Iran arrests chill anti-AIDS exchanges