Second spike seek to raise awareness about the rise of sexually transmitted diseases amongst the sexually active elderly.

Recent figures published by the Health Protection Agency, which showed a rise in people in their 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s having sex with new partners over the last 10 years.

This trend has led to an increase in all of the five main sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in those age groups. The figures showed that 45 to 64-year-olds saw the biggest rise in syphilis, herpes, chlamydia and genital warts between 2000 and 2009. They also saw the second-biggest rise in gonorrhea cases, beaten only by the over 65s.

Cases of syphilis in 45 to 64 year-olds rose ten-fold from just 52 in 2000 to 503 in 2009. In the over 65s, cases more than quadrupled from just 7 in 2000 to 32 in 2009.

Gonorrhea fell in all age groups between 2000 and 2009 except for the over 45s. Health workers argue that people in this age group commonly make the mistake of thinking that sexual health issues will not affect them.

Second Spike seek to work with Local Health Authorities and help tackle this through research and holding classes for the elderly to be informed about their sexual health.