PRACTICE SAFE SEX TO AVOID INFECTIONS, SAYS CUMBRIA HEALTH CHIEF
Last updated at 16:51, Thursday, 16 September 2010
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Cumbrians of all ages are being reminded that the only way to stay clear of sexually transmitted infections is to practice safe sex.
The message coincides Sexual Health Week, which runs until September 19.
Local experts are stressing the importance of getting checked regularly for STIs and using condoms as a matter of course, especially if with a new partner.
The most common include chlamydia, gonorrhoea, herpes, genital warts, syphilis, HIV and Aids. Last year 11, 526 people were tested opportunistically for chlamydia in Cumbria between April 2009 to March 2010. Of these, 744 people tested positive for the infection.
Anyone wishing to get checked can visit their local clinic or for a simple urine test or pick up a free testing kit from a local pharmacy, GP surgery, health centre, school nurse, sexual health or contraceptive clinic.
Jane Muller, NHS Cumbria’s associate director for public health, said: “Sexually transmitted infections are a big problem for both old and young alike and that’s why it’s vital that everyone takes responsibility to be safe, use condoms and get themselves checked regularly.
"The good news is that if you do have a STI then the treatment is usually very simple such as one course of antibiotics. However some people may not be aware they have an STI or in the case of chlamydia, they might not have any symptoms. This is why it’s important that people use condoms when having sex.”
For a list of sexual health and contraceptive clinics in your area visitwww.cumbria.nhs.uk. Alternatively anyone aged 16-24 can request a free and confidential chlamydia test at www.best2know.co.uk or by texting BEST to 82540.
First published at 11:28, Thursday, 16 September 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
The message coincides Sexual Health Week, which runs until September 19.
Local experts are stressing the importance of getting checked regularly for STIs and using condoms as a matter of course, especially if with a new partner.
The most common include chlamydia, gonorrhoea, herpes, genital warts, syphilis, HIV and Aids. Last year 11, 526 people were tested opportunistically for chlamydia in Cumbria between April 2009 to March 2010. Of these, 744 people tested positive for the infection.
Anyone wishing to get checked can visit their local clinic or for a simple urine test or pick up a free testing kit from a local pharmacy, GP surgery, health centre, school nurse, sexual health or contraceptive clinic.
Jane Muller, NHS Cumbria’s associate director for public health, said: “Sexually transmitted infections are a big problem for both old and young alike and that’s why it’s vital that everyone takes responsibility to be safe, use condoms and get themselves checked regularly.
"The good news is that if you do have a STI then the treatment is usually very simple such as one course of antibiotics. However some people may not be aware they have an STI or in the case of chlamydia, they might not have any symptoms. This is why it’s important that people use condoms when having sex.”
For a list of sexual health and contraceptive clinics in your area visitwww.cumbria.nhs.uk. Alternatively anyone aged 16-24 can request a free and confidential chlamydia test at www.best2know.co.uk or by texting BEST to 82540.
First published at 11:28, Thursday, 16 September 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
(newsandstar.co.uk)
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