Clued up about STIs
Tuesday 19 August 2008
Recent reports say that instances of sexually transmitted infections (known as STIs) are on the up. Are you clued up?
STIs on the increase
STIs amongst young people increased a massive 63 per cent, from 1998 to 2007! That may seem strange, especially these days when everyone is supposedly aware of safe sex and the importance of wearing condoms, but it’s true.
This would suggest that people are using condoms less, and are having a greater variety of sexual partners, which in turn would mean that more people are being exposed to the diseases.
Remember that iIf you have casual, unprotected sex with one or more partners, it means you are putting yourself, and those partners at risk of catching an STI.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is one STI that is on the increase. It's difficult to spot as there are often no apparent symptoms, but it should be taken very seriously as it can lead to infertility.
Chlamydia can also cause a condition called pelvic inflammatory disease, which is treated with antibiotics, but it can lead to long-term problems, such as the risk of ectopic pregnancies or infertility.
HIV
The effects of HIV and AIDS are well documented, but it’s important to be aware of the risks associated with other STIs.
GUM clinics
Such is the demand for treatment of STIs, that genitourinary medicine clinics (sometimes lovingly referred to as GUM clinics) are struggling to cope, meaning that some people are going longer without treatment.
If you think you may have an STI, get yourself to a GUM clinic as soon as you can, where you'll be assessed and either treated as an emergency case, or given an appointment to return.
No shame
Don't be embarrassed; if you've got an STI, you've got one and the only thing to do is treat it. To save yourself future embarrassment, ensuring you don't have unprotected sex might be an idea.
Don’t worry
If you test positive for any STI, the clinic will also encourage you to talk to your current partner and, where relevant, previous partners, so that they can also be tested.
If you prefer, the clinic can do this for you without revealing your identity. Most STIs are treatable with antibiotics, so try not to worry.
Check up
If you have had sex why not go for a check up anyway? The fact that you aren't displaying any symptoms doesn't mean that you're not infected. Better safe than sorry.
The thought of being infertile may not bother you now, but it might in the future.
Brook provides free and confidential sexual health advice and contraception for young people up to the age of 25. For more information go to www.brook.org.uk or call the Young People's Information Service free and in confidence on 0800 0185 023.
Sexual Health Week
Sexual Health Week ran at the start of August and True Tube launched a video debate amongst young people called ‘I’ll never catch an STI’.
Check the website to see a lot of relevant and topical films that explore sex and sexual health from a real life perspective, including the process of getting tested for an STI and the truth about GUM clinics! There’s also an interview with a young woman who contracted an STI from her boyfriend and how she copes with it, and an interview with two teenagers who are dissatisfied with their sex education and have resorted to relying on their friends for advice.
The idea of the videos is also for you to debate the issues raised. You can post your thoughts and opinions on the website, and even upload your own video or song!
